Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the NRL to join the Blues after the 2021 season. Photo / Getty Images
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the NRL to join the Blues after the 2021 season. Photo / Getty Images
Over the past couple of years, talks of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential return to rugby have made their way into headlines and been subsequently brushed off.
However, after the 2021 NRL season, that code switch will be made official with Tuivasa-Sheck signing on with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues ona two-year deal.
While the 27-year-old won't make the move for another season, Blues chief executive Andrew Hore confirmed on Saturday morning discussions had been going on for some time between the two parties before a deal was agreed upon.
"I think it would be fair to say players don't often come to these decisions lightly. They're in a good space so they explore it, think it through and mull it, and sometimes discussions do happen," Hore said when asked if the deal had been a long time in the making.
"Particularly because we have a lot of the league population who started in union, and went there for opportunities, so those discussions can go on for a wee while.
"There are connections throughout our team. You've got guys like Patrick [Tuipulotu] who played with him at age grade; they keep in touch, so you could imagine the banter and that kind of thing that goes on, and from that sometimes it gets fed up the chain and then a discussion can ensue."
Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the NRL behind at the conclusion of the upcoming season after a decade in the competition during which he has won a Premiership with the Sydney Roosters in 2013 and was named Dally M Player of the Year following his impressive campaign with the Warriors in 2018.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the NRL to join the Blues after the 2021 season. Photo / Getty Images
Before making his mark in the 13-man game, Tuivasa-Sheck starred in schoolboy rugby in the backline for Otahuhu College, and impressed with the Blues at an age-grade level.
While starring at fullback for the Warriors, Blues coach Leon MacDonald said conversations were yet to be held as to where he might turn out for the Blues in 2022.
"He gives us versatility; we know he played his schoolboy rugby in the midfield, he's been playing his league in the outsides, so one of the attractions for us is he is a multi-skilled player and he gives us options," MacDonald said.
"There's no point speculating around positions. It's a conversation we really need to sit down and have a good chat about. I think it's a fair point around having the All Blacks coaches involved, and I think they will be involved. Fozzy [All Blacks coach Ian Foster] will have his opinion as well and to be aligned with the top is important. I'm looking forward to that day when we can sit around the table and thrash that out. It'll come around soon enough."
While he won't join the Blues until 2022, there is a chance Tuivasa-Sheck could return to the 15-man code sooner through the Mitre 10 Cup as he is expected to link up with Auckland later in the year.
However, there was no guarantee he will run out in the blue and white hoops when he does join the team.
"There's no doubt that's an opportunity for him," MacDonald said. "What we are clear on is he has a campaign he needs to finish, and we have a campaign that we have to focus on. As that goes through a course and as it unfolds, then there will be discussions about what is the best pathway forward for his development."
