Tweet
Christian NicolussiThe Daily Telegraph
The smiling baby-faced assassin has been an absolute gem at fullback this year.
He’ll carve up South Sydney on Friday night. He’ll probably score a couple of tries, and run for at least 200m
Should the competition glamour boys win in week one of the finals, then again in week three, Tuivasa-Sheck will pull on the Roosters’ No 1 jumper just four more times. Yes, FOUR more times.
Like I said, if you’re a supporter — and there are only a few of you given how many empty seats there are at Allianz Stadium most weekends — there would be mixed emotions about the Kiwi fullback’s departure.
Roosters’ teammate Boyd Cordner reckons he’s never heard Tuivasa-Sheck curse.
“He doesn’t swear at all,’’ Cordner said.
“It pains me to say he’ll be leaving us this year, but hopefully he’s got another few good games in him for the Roosters. Every game there has been a standout moment. I don’t think he’s played a bad game this year. He’s just a freak.
Prop Sam Moa, who will get the chance to extend his goodbyes when he links with Tuivasa-Sheck for the New Zealand Test series at season’s end, said: “If there’s one word that sums him up, it’s ‘phenomenal’.
“What he’s done in his short career to date ... I can remember a couple of years ago he was Dally M winger (of the year), then international winger, then he moves to fullback. I don’t think there’s more exciting player to watch in our game.
“He’ll be a massive loss for us. But it’s pleasing to see Roger and Jimmy (Maloney) leaving us in career-best form. It shows character and respect for our club. That’s what we’re about.’’
Tuivasa-Sheck is always the first on to the training paddock, and often seen practising his sidestep.
Hayden Knowles, who works with the Roosters’ strength and conditioning unit — and specialises in speed work — compared Tuivasa-Sheck to Hayne, the kid wonder he worked with for years at Parramatta.
“Both players are as freakish as each other when it comes to natural ability and desire to be the very best,’’ Knowles said.
“But I’d be prepared to say Roger can actually do things now at No. 1 better than Hayne could, and it’s a pleasure to know that as a kid he was inspired by Hayne’s highlights, and is now creating his own.
“Hayne took a few years playing in the position to become the best fullback in the game. Roger has clearly been mentored really well and at only 22 years old will get the opportunity to be even better. You only have to look at his highlights reels already.’’
Roosters’ great and Channel 9 commentator Brad Fittler actually had doubts about Tuivasa-Sheck succeeding Minichiello, one of the greatest No. 1s in the club’s history.
Tuivasa-Sheck spent a long time on the Roosters’ wing while doing his fullback apprenticeship under Minichiello.
As Fittler said, ‘’it’s not one of those positions you can fluke’’.
“I doubted him about what he could do at fullback, and he was replacing a great,’’ Fittler said.
“But he just gets it done. If there was a competition that included football ability, personality, niceness, he’d be at the top. He’d be the gold medallist. He’s impossible to hate, unless you’re playing against him.’’
Souths will find that out first hand.
The smiling baby-faced assassin has been an absolute gem at fullback this year.
He’ll carve up South Sydney on Friday night. He’ll probably score a couple of tries, and run for at least 200m
Should the competition glamour boys win in week one of the finals, then again in week three, Tuivasa-Sheck will pull on the Roosters’ No 1 jumper just four more times. Yes, FOUR more times.
Like I said, if you’re a supporter — and there are only a few of you given how many empty seats there are at Allianz Stadium most weekends — there would be mixed emotions about the Kiwi fullback’s departure.
Roosters’ teammate Boyd Cordner reckons he’s never heard Tuivasa-Sheck curse.
“He doesn’t swear at all,’’ Cordner said.
“It pains me to say he’ll be leaving us this year, but hopefully he’s got another few good games in him for the Roosters. Every game there has been a standout moment. I don’t think he’s played a bad game this year. He’s just a freak.
Prop Sam Moa, who will get the chance to extend his goodbyes when he links with Tuivasa-Sheck for the New Zealand Test series at season’s end, said: “If there’s one word that sums him up, it’s ‘phenomenal’.
“What he’s done in his short career to date ... I can remember a couple of years ago he was Dally M winger (of the year), then international winger, then he moves to fullback. I don’t think there’s more exciting player to watch in our game.
“He’ll be a massive loss for us. But it’s pleasing to see Roger and Jimmy (Maloney) leaving us in career-best form. It shows character and respect for our club. That’s what we’re about.’’
Tuivasa-Sheck is always the first on to the training paddock, and often seen practising his sidestep.
Hayden Knowles, who works with the Roosters’ strength and conditioning unit — and specialises in speed work — compared Tuivasa-Sheck to Hayne, the kid wonder he worked with for years at Parramatta.
“Both players are as freakish as each other when it comes to natural ability and desire to be the very best,’’ Knowles said.
“But I’d be prepared to say Roger can actually do things now at No. 1 better than Hayne could, and it’s a pleasure to know that as a kid he was inspired by Hayne’s highlights, and is now creating his own.
“Hayne took a few years playing in the position to become the best fullback in the game. Roger has clearly been mentored really well and at only 22 years old will get the opportunity to be even better. You only have to look at his highlights reels already.’’
Roosters’ great and Channel 9 commentator Brad Fittler actually had doubts about Tuivasa-Sheck succeeding Minichiello, one of the greatest No. 1s in the club’s history.
Tuivasa-Sheck spent a long time on the Roosters’ wing while doing his fullback apprenticeship under Minichiello.
As Fittler said, ‘’it’s not one of those positions you can fluke’’.
“I doubted him about what he could do at fullback, and he was replacing a great,’’ Fittler said.
“But he just gets it done. If there was a competition that included football ability, personality, niceness, he’d be at the top. He’d be the gold medallist. He’s impossible to hate, unless you’re playing against him.’’
Souths will find that out first hand.
Comment