Speaking for the first time alongside Warriors CEO Cameron George and coach Nathan Brown, Tuivasa-Sheck confirmed he would be departing the NRL at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
"This will be my last year with the club and yes, I will be moving to NZ rugby next year," he said.<\/p>\n
"The club has been supportive of the request and giving me the option to explore.<\/p>\n
"Rugby has been the game I've grown up playing. It's always been there in the background. It's always been there, it's no secret.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"To do it now in a time like this and have the club's support, that's why I chose it now.<\/p>\n
"But rugby is down the line and all that stuff will happen later in the year.<\/p>\n
"2021 is my focus, I'm excited about this year and so should the Warriors and NRL fans be.<\/p>\n
"There's still a lot of goals I'm chasing [in league] and that's what I'm trying to do this year with the club.<\/p>\n
"We've got a great group here and coaching staff to do something special this year."<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
George said Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to leave the NRL had been discussed "for a number of weeks" before both parties mutually agreed to a release for the end of the season.<\/p>\n
"This ain't a bombshell for the club," George said.<\/p>\n
"Peter O'Sullivan, myself and Roger have been discussing this for a number of weeks now.<\/p>\n
"The important thing for us is to respectfully explore the options with Roger and understand what his desires were.<\/p>\n
"At the end of the day, Roger has earned the respect from the club to come forward and determine the decision we have come to."<\/p>\n
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