Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has laughed off suggestions he should shift to fullback, despite admitting he’s not getting the same attacking opportunities in the centres.
The Warriors star is still finding his feet after returning to the NRL from his stint in rugby, punching out 135m per game and assisting one try in his opening fortnight back in the competition.
It prompted former Kiwis captain Adam Blair to suggest he should move to No.1, where emerging talent Taine Tuaupiki is deputising for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Blair said Tuivasa-Sheck should get a chance at fullback even if Nicoll-Klokstad was available for last season’s preliminary finalists.
“Adam Blair’s not the coach, he’s just a very good friend,” Tuivasa-Sheck said with a laugh.
“I’m enjoying it as a centre … I’m enjoying that process of learning to be a centre (and) Taine’s doing a really great job.”
Nicoll-Klokstad is due back from a hamstring injury next weekend, while 24-year-old Tuaupiki is impressing at the back.
But the 2018 Dally M medallist, who won three All Blacks caps in his time in rugby, acknowledged he’d had less impact on the edge and was still familiarising himself with the new role.
“I’m still working out the centre position, especially the lungs,” he said.
“That first game I made 14 tackles and the second I made 19 - when I was at fullback I think I made 15 for a whole season.
“Definitely not (as many attacking opportunities) as a fullback, but as a centre I’m still trying to build my game - how can I get more and how can I be more effective?
“That’s a process and something I’m enjoying learning. I’m out there as an edge … learning how we can get more attacking shape, when we can be more effective.”
Coach Andrew Webster was happy to stand by Tuaupiki in the No.1 jersey, but said Tuivasa-Sheck was the next man up.
“(We’ve) considered if Taine wasn’t playing he’d be our fullback,” he said.
“He’s certainly still capable, which is why I’d put him in there if Taine was out.
“I think everyone saw that last week, everyone was rapt with Taine’s performance.”
The 0-2 Warriors face undefeated Canberra on Friday night, when they will look to get their campaign back on track.
