Agent denies Tuivasa-Sheck rugby contract
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's agent has shot down talk that his client has signed with New Zealand Rugby to switch codes ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Radio New Zealand reported on Thursday morning that the Warriors and Kiwis fullback had proved speculation to be correct and was likely to join Super Rugby's Blues next year.
But his manager Bruce Sharrock has denied there is pen to paper on any deal for the out-of-contract NRL star, though he did not appear to rule out Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the 15-man code.
"There is quite a thorough process for us to go through and we're still doing that," Sharrock told Stuff NZ.
"We haven't entered discussions with anyone on anything, he's evaluating a whole host of issues and that's what we do.
"What I can say is that the Warriors are certainly high on that priority list to engage with, but there has been no engagement.
"There have been other clubs that have registered interest, but we're just not ready to talk."
The Samoan-born livewire played both rugby and rugby league throughout high school before joining the Sydney Roosters in late 2011.
He has since gone on to earn a big-money move to the Warriors and become club captain.
Australian media reports in October -- around the time of the Kiwis' disastrous Rugby League World Cup campaign -- suggested that Tuivasa-Sheck had long-held ambitions to play the 15-a-side game and crack the All Blacks.
At the time, Tuivasa-Sheck kept quiet on the speculation.
Yet, should he switch from league to rugby, he may have a fairly difficult time earning a black jumper amidst a crowded back-three field.
He'll have little time to earn the trust of coach Steve Hansen before the 2019 World Cup, while a score of prodigious backs -- including Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett -- will play protagonists' roles in 2023.
Other players could also emerge in the meantime -- but Hansen didn't mind the idea of having Tuivasa-Sheck at his disposal.
"I like the rumour," Hansen told reporters in October.
with AAP