Warriors coach Andrew Webster concedes things haven’t gone to plan with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s move to the centres and isn’t ruling out a switch to the wing in order to get him more involved.
Averaging just under 20 receipts per game, Tuivasa-Sheck’s opportunities on the ball aren’t far off those enjoyed by leading centres like Joey Manu (22.7 per game) and Valentine Holmes (20.6 per game), but his modest attacking output makes it clear that the 2018 Dally M Medal winner isn’t being put in positions to show his full ability.
Through his first 11 games since rejoining the Warriors following two and a half years in rugby union, RTS has just one try assist, four line breaks and three tries to his name.
While he’s named Tuivasa-Sheck to start at centre again for Saturday’s clash with the Bulldogs, Webster says a move to the wing isn’t out of the question in coming weeks if it helps his star recruit see more ball.
“I have been pretty open and honest that I don’t feel like I have made it work as well as it could,” Webster said when asked about Tuivasa-Sheck’s development as a centre.
The vision was to come here and get a player like that involved, get their hands on the ball.
Andrew Webster
“We’ve seen it in glimpses, haven’t we?
“[Against the Broncos] I was impressed with his defensive effort, his tackles, he had some really good carries and got us out of trouble a couple of times with 15-metre runs.
“I just wish he had more opportunities to do it.
A certified mind blower
“That’s part of my responsibility, to give him more opportunities to show what he can do.
“Nothing is out of the question… the wingers actually get more ball these days than the centres.
“We’ll make sure we adapt when the right situation comes.”
Tuivasa-Sheck was keen to avoid questions about his position of preference on the field this week, telling media that “centre is the position I’m given and centre is the position I’ll play”.
But the 31-year-old admitted to some personal frustration as he integrates back into rugby league and a role which is totally different to the one he reached peak form in as an NRL player.
“It’s still developing for me. Changing positions changing combinations, it’s very important that I try to keep up with what’s happening,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.
On a personal level I’m trying to be the best I can, but I’m not quite having that [go] as well as I’d like to.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
“This is my first year back with this team… I don’t want to come in and try and overplay my hand and sort of ruin the flow the team has built over the last few years.
“I have got to bide my time.”
With usual right centre Rocco Berry (shoulder) still at least a month away from returning, Tuivasa-Sheck’s immediate future looks likely to be in that role alongside Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
While that side of the field has typically been heavily targeted when Shaun Johnson is fit and available, in the Round 17 win over the Broncos the makeshift halves combination of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita favoured the left edge and four of the Warriors six tries were scored there.
Martin said while he wouldn’t be forcing the ball to the right for the sake of it, at the same time it’s his responsibility to make sure Tuivasa-Sheck is used efficiently.
Te Maire Mastery
“If you can get him the ball then get him the ball; he’s a freak. But we don’t want to get away from doing what’s best,” Martin said.
“I need to work on ways where I can get him the ball. I’ve done a bit of video after the weekend and seen where I could have used Rog a lot smarter.
“It’s something I need to work on, balancing out the field a bit more.”