BOOM Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is quickly becoming Anthony Minichiello's shadow.
But with Minichiello facing a three-week suspension at the NRL judiciary tonight, the time has come for Tuivasa-Sheck to jump into the spotlight in the Roosters' No. 1 jersey.
The 19-year-old, who is still eligible to play in the Toyota Cup in 2013, says he is ready for it as well.
Minichiello is the reason he is ready to take his place.
Since joining the Roosters at the end of 2011, Tuivasa-Sheck has become Minichiello's apprentice.
"When he's out doing his thing, I always try and shadow him and watch what he's doing," Tuivasa-Sheck said after being named on the wing in the 2012 Toyota Cup team of the year yesterday. "Hopefully I just keep learning from his performances. I'm just trying to be ready when the time comes - even Brian Smith is telling me: Be ready, be ready.
"That's when I knew this was scary stuff. We also catch up after training. He's a man of extras. He does extras every game, every training day. I just stay stay back and do what he's doing. Mini's always helping me."
He will be following the same path so many Toyota Cup graduates have walked since it's inaugural season in 2008.
Twelve months ago he had never played a game of rugby league in his life.
2012 TOYOTA CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR: Evander Cummins (Dragons), Marika Koroibete (Tigers), Edrick Lee (Raiders), Nathan Green (Dragons), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters), Carlos Tuimivave (Warriors), Mitchell Cornish, Raiders), David Klemmar (Bulldogs), Michael Lichaa (Sharks), Korbin Sims (Knights), Michael Chee Kam (Raiders), Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (Panthers), Paul Carter (Bulldogs), Caleb Timu (Broncos), Chris Grevsmuhl (Cowboys), Luke Keary (Rabbitohs), Dylan Napa (Roosters). Coach: Garth Brennan (Panthers).
But with Minichiello facing a three-week suspension at the NRL judiciary tonight, the time has come for Tuivasa-Sheck to jump into the spotlight in the Roosters' No. 1 jersey.
The 19-year-old, who is still eligible to play in the Toyota Cup in 2013, says he is ready for it as well.
Minichiello is the reason he is ready to take his place.
Since joining the Roosters at the end of 2011, Tuivasa-Sheck has become Minichiello's apprentice.
"When he's out doing his thing, I always try and shadow him and watch what he's doing," Tuivasa-Sheck said after being named on the wing in the 2012 Toyota Cup team of the year yesterday. "Hopefully I just keep learning from his performances. I'm just trying to be ready when the time comes - even Brian Smith is telling me: Be ready, be ready.
"That's when I knew this was scary stuff. We also catch up after training. He's a man of extras. He does extras every game, every training day. I just stay stay back and do what he's doing. Mini's always helping me."
He will be following the same path so many Toyota Cup graduates have walked since it's inaugural season in 2008.
Twelve months ago he had never played a game of rugby league in his life.
2012 TOYOTA CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR: Evander Cummins (Dragons), Marika Koroibete (Tigers), Edrick Lee (Raiders), Nathan Green (Dragons), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters), Carlos Tuimivave (Warriors), Mitchell Cornish, Raiders), David Klemmar (Bulldogs), Michael Lichaa (Sharks), Korbin Sims (Knights), Michael Chee Kam (Raiders), Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (Panthers), Paul Carter (Bulldogs), Caleb Timu (Broncos), Chris Grevsmuhl (Cowboys), Luke Keary (Rabbitohs), Dylan Napa (Roosters). Coach: Garth Brennan (Panthers).
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