Roger Tuivasa-Sheck provided some indelible memories for local league fans in Leeds today - but the Kiwis star counted the game as a career highlight.
Tuivasa-Sheck has played in some big test matches for the Kiwis, and appeared in a grand final but agreed that the feverish atmosphere at Headingleywas something to behold.
The biggest crowd at the historic stadium this year (20,158) created a special occasion, as the Rhinos fans farewelled several of their greatest players. Some of the singing and chants rivalled what you would hear at an English football match and the noise when Leeds made a break or crossed for their tries threatened to lift the grandstand roof. To add some more uniqueness to the occasion, the Kiwis performed a special haka at the end of the match, with Kylie Leuluai and Ali Lauitiiti leading it alongside Issac Luke.
"It was crazy...I loved it," said Tuivasa-Sheck. "I loved the crowd and the passion they have for the players here. I could hear a few Ali Lauitiiti chants so that was pretty cool. It's something you'll always remember."
The Kiwis fullback also provided several moments that local fans will never forget, creating the `I saw him play' kind of pub conversations. Games against clubs are rare for touring teams in this era but Saturday morning's match reminded why they are so special and Tuivasa-Sheck was an undoubted highlight.
He looked on song from the first minute, when he beat three players in a slashing run with his first touch. The new Warriors signing was dangerous every time he touched the ball, scored two tries and had a hand in at least two more. The 22-year-old was also strong on defence, snuffing out three Leeds breaks in the first half with superb covering tackles as the Kiwis struggled to impose themselves on the match.
"We were trying anything and everything and it didn't really work," said Tuivasa-Sheck. "We tried to go side to side, we tried to play the offload game, we tried to just complete our sets. Towards the back end of the half we started using our big boys to go forward and play off the back of that. That worked for us so we stuck with it."
Like most of his teammates, Tuivasa-Sheck struggled to get his second wind in the first half.
"I was puffing... I thought my lungs were going to explode," said Tuivasa-Sheck. "In the first 20 minutes we all looked at each other and said `I don't know how we are going to do it. But it was just what we needed."
*Autex - Proud sponsor of New Zealand rugby league since 1981
