Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is off to Super League. He opens up about ACL injury

Warriors legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has opened up about the heartbreaking ACL injury that brought an early end to his final NRL season with the club, admitting the setback “took a toll” as he faced leaving the Warriors without the farewell he had hoped for.

The 33-year-old will depart the Warriors at the end of the season to join English Super League side Wakefield Trinity, bringing an end to one of the most decorated careers in the club’s history.

Tuivasa-Sheck announced his move in April through his brother’s YouTube channel, deliberately sharing the news hours before a match so it would not become a distraction for the team.

But just six weeks later, disaster struck.

The veteran winger ruptured the ACL in his left knee during the opening minutes of the Warriors’ 30-12 win, suffering the same injury for the second time in his career.

Tuivasa-Sheck will finish his Warriors career with 158 appearances across two stints, four Warriors Player of the Year awards and the 2018 Dally M Medal as the NRL’s best player.

Speaking on Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast, Tuivasa-Sheck said it was difficult knowing he could not finish his time at the club the way he had planned.

“It definitely took a toll on me,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.

“I was sad and gutted that [it] was my last innings for the club.”

“I’ve invested a lot into the club with the Warriors and I love that place but devastated that I’m leaving that way.”

“I had big plans for this season, being my final season with the club, but that was taken away and you just have to move on.”

Despite the disappointment, Tuivasa-Sheck says he is now in a better place and remains focused on supporting the Warriors during their finals push while preparing for his next chapter overseas.

“I’m in a better place now and I’m just all about pumping up the club and trying to do good things for it,” he said.

Having previously overcome an ACL injury in the same knee in 2016, Tuivasa-Sheck says he has confidence he can make another strong comeback.

The support of his wife and children has also helped him through the setback.

“Having kids this time round and my wife, there’s a lot of support there and they take my mind off of um the injury,” he said.

The Warriors great says his previous recovery gives him belief heading into his rehabilitation.

“I went from 2016 tore my ACL, 2017 I was Warriors player of the year,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.

“That really um give me confidence that I can come back from this injury and I’m going to a club that I’ve got some expectations that I want to fulfil.”

Alongside his recovery and preparations for his move to Wakefield, Tuivasa-Sheck will also join Sky as an analyst for the remainder of the NRL season.

He says he is excited to watch the Warriors’ run towards the finals and believes the team has the belief and experience to challenge for the title.

“Our young boys have grown another year from last year,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.

“They all got a taste of um what success looks like.”

The Warriors currently sit second on the NRL ladder and host the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday as they continue their push towards finals football.