New All Black addresses NRL rumours
SPOTLIGHT: Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has moved to end speculation he could return to the NRL from Rugby Union.
All Blacks great John Kirwan raised the possibility on a New Zealand tv rugby show last weekend, saying there was a “little whisper” of a contract available from the Sydney Roosters while urging the national team to play Tuivasa-Scheck more.
His comments came after the 2018 NRL Dally M Medallist made the second of just two 10-minute cameo appearances for the All Blacks so far this year in their demolition of the Wallabies to clinch the Rugby Championship.
However 29-year-old former Roosters and Warriors fullback Tuivasa-Scheck made it clear he was committed to Rugby Union, at least till after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Hey team, hearing a return to NRL and Sydney Roosters. As much as I enjoyed it there, I won’t be heading back. Signed sealed delivered till the end of 2023,” Tuivasa-Sheck posted on his Instagram story on Saturday.
The former Warriors skipper has impressed observers with his potential and commitment since making the switch to union last year, playing as an inside centre for the Auckland-based Blues in Super Rugby.
The All Blacks’ early patchy form and losses this year probably cost him more playing minutes with the national team to date in 2022.