NRL: Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck knows he needs to improve

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has performed below his own expectations in the season's early weeks. Photo / Getty

Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck admits he hasn't lived up to his billing as the side's marquee recruit and knows he needs to improve.

The 22-year-old has had difficulty injecting himself into the Warriors' attacking play, despite racking up match-high stats in last week's loss to Brisbane, with 25 runs and 205m gained.

Last year's Dally M Fullback of the Year has also had his defensive issues over the opening two rounds, with uncharacteristic misses on Wests Tigers flyer Tim Simona and Broncos centre Jack Reed both leading to easy tries.

Tuivasa-Sheck knows he has yet to show his best form in Warriors colours and admits he is still coming to grips with his role in the side.

"I feel like I can be better," he said. "The last two games I haven't proved myself as a top player yet. I really want to get back to it.

"Most of the boys know the structure and I'm still working into it and seeing where I can apply myself best. Everyone's working hard but I can look at myself and try to improve and have more input to the team."

Tuivasa-Sheck is in unfamiliar territory. It's the first time in his career he's not excelled after making the transition from rugby to league late at Otahuhu College and going on to make his NRL debut as a 19-year-old in 2012.

The next year he went from strength to strength in a star-studded premiership winning side and was voted the Dally M Winger of the Year having learned his trade alongside legendary Roosters No1 Anthony Minichiello.

A call-up to Stephen Kearney's Kiwis side then followed, and he was a leading performer at the 2013 World Cup before a leg injury forced him out of the tournament decider against Australia at Old Trafford.

His time at the Roosters (2012-2015) was defined by his high involvement, in his core role on kick returns, out wide on the edges and also as a ball-player closer in to the ruck.

So far at the Warriors he has been kept busy at the back, and has also been required to do his share of grunt work early on in sets to help ease the forwards' workload.

He knows he can involve himself more by supporting players through the middle, or linking better with the likes of Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke, but explains he is still learning how to best combine with his new teammates.

"It's all different," he said. "I just knew the game plan at the Roosters. I knew where I could place myself and be effective. That's what I'm working on here with the Warriors.

"Some of the boys have good offloads. It's just about putting myself there and knowing which arm they like to offload from. I'm still working on that part."

Coach Andrew McFadden has been strong in his support of the No 1 and believes critics have judged his early season efforts unfairly.

The long-range tries and tackle-busting runs will come in time, he insists, as Tuivasa-Sheck grows more familiar with his new surrounds.

"There's been way too much criticism of Roger," said McFadden. "He's been working out wide and supporting around the ruck.

"[Against Brisbane] We were down to one interchange with 30 [minutes] to go and we had to share the work because our forwards needed to tackle. Sometimes that's the game you've got to play but I know exactly what Roger's going to do.

"He's been really solid for us. He can get better. And he will."