Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Rugby league definitely doing something great here

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Author: Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Wed 26 Feb 2025, 03:28 PM

While it’s back to the future for winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck this season it’s not the only subject on his mind as the One New Zealand Warriors step up their work for their NRL season opener against Canberra in Las Vegas on Saturday PST (Sunday NZ).

The 31-year-old is relishing being back on the edge 10 years after last being used as a specialist winger with the Roosters but he’s equally thrilled with what’s happening to the rugby league code as thrives in the Pacific and makes its presence felt in the United States.

“It’s been fun. Vegas is crazy. There’s a lot going on all the time. It’s good to be here and experience that with the team,” said Tuivasa-Sheck.

“Rugby league is definitely doing something great here. I love this whole concept of coming and playing in this place. It’s the capital of entertainment and that’s what we are (entertainment).

“I think you can see a lot of the world in both codes (rugby league and rugby union) now. You just have to be lucky and fortunate where you are and today I’m with the NRL with the Warriors and playing Vegas and that’s pretty cool.

Round 1 - Sunday 2nd March

Full Time

Raiders

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine Tuaupiki
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Raiders is number 16 Josh Papalii

Lock for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 22 Jed Stuart

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 08:20 pm Monday 10th March 2025

“Every time we’re walking around and every time we say we’re from New Zealand they assume we’re the All Blacks but we have to correct them and say: ‘No, rugby league! Warriors!’

“At one stage the boys were itching to see everything, buzzing around this city and this town and how it never sleeps. The lights and the colours … but we’re two trainings in and now we’re back to locking in. We’re excited to do a lot of footy and keen to rip into our season.”

For Tuivasa-Sheck that means tearing into his work on the left wing reprising the role he had for his first three seasons when he started his NRL career with the Roosters in 2012.

“It’s a little bit different on the wing with my body composition now,” he said.

“When I came into the game I was about 80kgs and I was a lot lighter and probably quicker. Now I’m a little heavier and the game has gone faster.

“Webby and I spoke heading into Christmas and thought this would be a good dynamic for our team and I agreed, bought in and jumped on it. At this stage of my career I’m just glad to be playing and be in the 17.”