RTS pumped about facing Roosters

AUCKLAND: More than two years after Warriors skipper Roger TuivasaSheck left the Sydney Roosters, an NRL clash with his former club still gets the juices flowing.

TuivasaSheck will run out at Allianz Stadium for the first time today since his move from Sydney.

‘‘It’s a special thing to go over there and play my former teammates,’’ he said.

‘‘I grew some great bonds with the Sydney Roosters, the club and players, so I’m looking forward to going over and seeing them, but first you have to get the two points.’’

TuivasaSheck has a 20 record against the Roosters, with whom he spent four seasons and won a premiership in 2013.

His first match against them, in Gosford in April 2016, ended with his spectacular goldenpoint try, before he suffered a seasonending knee injury two rounds later.

This week, the unbeaten Warriors head over the Tasman having made their best start to a season, and a key has been their goalline defence.

TuivasaSheck has led the way, producing three trysaving tackles, beginning with a brilliant effort to deny South Sydney’s Alex Johnston in round one.

The 24yearold 16test Kiwi said it was a part of his game he had wanted to work on ‘‘big time’’.

‘‘It was embarrassing a couple of years ago but it’s something I really want to step up in,’’ he said.

TuivasaSheck will go head to head with the Roosters’ NSW Origin fullback, James Tedesco, whom he describes as ‘‘a freakish player’’.

‘‘I’m a massive fan of the way he moves around, his footwork and agility and positioning,’’ he said.

A Former Kiwi Ferns captain Luisa Avaiki will coach the Warriors side in the inaugural fourteam NRL women’s competition.

The competition will also include Brisbane, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.

Avaiki captained the Kiwi Ferns to victory in the first three women’s World Cup tournaments in 2000, 2003 and 2008.

She has coached women’s, men’s and boys’ teams at club and representative level, and worked for the Melbourne Storm as games development officer.

Since 2016, she has been the NZRL’s wellbeing and women’s development manager. — NZN