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Tony Johnson: How Roger Tuivasa-Sheck needs to manage his switch to rugby union - Weekend Sport with Jason Pine
Weekend Sport with Jason Pine
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's move to rugby union is a "bolt from the blue" but the timing is right.
The NRL superstar today confirmed reports of his stunning code switch, with the 27-year-old to be released from his Warriors contract at the end of the 2021 NRL season to move to the 15-man game.
He has yet to sign with a franchise, with the Blues understood to be the hot favourites for his signature as he attempts to make the All Blacks ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Tuivasa-Sheck said his desire to move back to rugby has been long held.
"It's always been there. It's no secret. Rugby is a game that I grew up playing ... [It felt like] the right time and to have the club support, that's why I chose to do it now."
Rugby union commentator Tony Johnson told The Devlin Radio Show that if Tuivasa-Sheck is serious, he needs to provide himself with take-up time.
He says the key is the transition - and cites Benji Marshall as an example of the wrong way to do the change.
"I don't know who's idea it was, but not to give him time, just chucking him straight into the Blues, they got that all wrong.
"As long as they manage the transition right - if it is the Blues, it becomes a very good signing for them."
Johnson says there's no guarantee he could become an All Black, but a player of his calibre would likely make the team.
He says that the All Blacks and NZ Rugby are not in a position to make any promises to anyone, but it will be excited
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The NRL superstar today confirmed reports of his stunning code switch, with the 27-year-old to be released from his Warriors contract at the end of the 2021 NRL season to move to the 15-man game.
He has yet to sign with a franchise, with the Blues understood to be the hot favourites for his signature as he attempts to make the All Blacks ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Tuivasa-Sheck said his desire to move back to rugby has been long held.
"It's always been there. It's no secret. Rugby is a game that I grew up playing ... [It felt like] the right time and to have the club support, that's why I chose to do it now."
Rugby union commentator Tony Johnson told The Devlin Radio Show that if Tuivasa-Sheck is serious, he needs to provide himself with take-up time.
He says the key is the transition - and cites Benji Marshall as an example of the wrong way to do the change.
"I don't know who's idea it was, but not to give him time, just chucking him straight into the Blues, they got that all wrong.
"As long as they manage the transition right - if it is the Blues, it becomes a very good signing for them."
Johnson says there's no guarantee he could become an All Black, but a player of his calibre would likely make the team.
He says that the All Blacks and NZ Rugby are not in a position to make any promises to anyone, but it will be excited
LISTEN ABOVE
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