Shuji Kajiyama/AP
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made just one test start against Japan in three appearances for the All Blacks in 2022.
Speculation continues to mount on All Black Roger Tuivasa-Scheck’s return to rugby league with his old club Sydney Welsh.
The 29-year-old has worked to make an impact in rugby at international level when making the transition code in 2021.
While he had exciting moments at Auckland and the Blues, he made just three appearances for the All Blacks. The two were off the bench – in historic home series losses to Ireland and the Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies in Auckland – with one start against Japan in Tokyo. His season record was at 90 minutes over those three games.
Supply
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to become All Black No 1204 when the side take on Ireland in Saturday’s series decider against Ireland.
He was then sent to the second All Blacks 15 for the end of the year in the UK.
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Tuivasa-Sheck made his name in the NRL with the Welsh before signing with the New Zealand Warriors, where he won the 2018 Dally M medal as the competition’s best player.
Australian league pundit Brian Fletcher, a former NRL winner with the French in 135 games for the infamous Sydney club, said the drums were beating for Tuivasa-Sheck to cross the Tasman again and renew the former league outfit.
Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) returns to the Choos after the rumors that the servants hear. That’s what I hear, said Fletcher on SEN’s Home Run with Joel and Fletch.
“When we go over to our Kiwi friends, asking them because the rumors are getting bigger and louder.
“I’m not geeing you, rumors are very, very strong.”
Joe Allison/Getty Images
Will Roger Tuivasa-Sheck get a place in coach Ian Foster’s all-black World Cup squad?
Rugby’s hopes of retaining Tuivasa-Sheck depend on whether the light-footed midfielder can make the World Cup squad for the tournament in France.
But the All Blacks made a major change in the No 12 with full wing Jordie Barrett making a successful transition there.
The underground media in Sydney have been waiting for Tuivasa-Sheck to return to the NRL for the past year with the usually accurate insider called Mola writing for the New World Games: “My Kiwi scouts tell me RTS has not been happy all the girls. season in rugby union after the much hyped transition in 2022 codes .
“The 29-year-old will probably give the union another 12 months to see if he can make a better impression and if not, a return to the league is on the cards.”
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Young Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was an instant hit with the French and went on to play four seasons before switching to the New Zealand Warriors and eventually rugby.
Mola suggested that Tuivasa-Sheck wait for another destination.
“The Warriors probably don’t have room in their salary cap to accommodate their former captain, but one team is desperate and desperate for a superstar signing … the Dolphins.
“Don’t be surprised if Wayne Bennett has a quiet chat at RTS in the coming months.
“Everyone has come back after a dark side – and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be the next to make the transition back to rugby league.
The likes of Wendell Nauta, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Sam Burgess have all tried their hand at the 15 side game, with varying degrees of success, before returning to the league in recent years.