Former Golden Boot winner excited for position change on return to the sport

The 2019 Golden Boot winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been plying his trade in rugby union of late however he’s now confirmed that on his return to the 13-man code he’s set for a key position change.

The Golden Boot is handed to the best player in the world of rugby league and a list of winners reads like a list of legends of the sport.

In terms of English winners there have only been three since the turn of the millennium, Andy Farrell, Kevin Sinfield and most recently Tommy Makinson in 2018.

Multiple time winners include the likes of Cameron Smith, Johnathon Thurston (three), Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns, whilst even some of the world’s best right now such as Nathan Cleary have yet to win it highlighting just how special it is.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck lifted the award in 2019 following another elite season with New Zealand Warriors, whom he has represented for more than 100 games, but the full-back and winger opted to leave the code at the end of 2021.

During his time in rugby union he managed to make the All Blacks side within just six months of swapping codes, testament to what an incredible talent he is.

Despite that RTS was keen on a return to his beloved rugby league, something he confirmed in April of this year that he would be returning to play for the Warriors on a three-year deal and he’s now told the Daily Telegraph exactly how that will shape itself.

He explained to the Telegraph that whilst pre-season hasn’t yet started for the Warriors, who made it to the NRL play-off semi-finals this pasts season, the training and hard work began for him many weeks ago.

“I’ve been back a few weeks now, I couldn’t help myself,” Tuivasa-Sheck told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I wanted to get a taste of it, because I really want to turn up and hit the ground running.

“Being back in the NRL and the club, I’m just so excited. So pumped.”

Despite having once been labelled as the best player in the world and having played union at an elite level, earning 12 All Blacks Caps during his two-year hiatus, RTS explained the mentality he’s approaching training camp with.

“I have to prove myself all over again. That’s one thing that me and Webby (coach Andrew Webster) spoke about. He’s encouraged me to come in and be that kid again.”

On coach Andrew Webster the full-back/winger explained that the move back to league will come with a position change as well, Tuivasa-Sheck set to shift inwards to the centres.

“That was one of the attractions in me coming back to hopefully play that role.

“But you just never know, coming into the pre-season. I’ve firstly got to put my hand up to make that squad and secondly, try and learn it as quickly as I can.

“I want to get back into rugby league as quick as I can.

“I want to play as many trial games as I can leading into it. I’m ready to do everything that is required to add to this team.”