It was with the Roosters he announced himself, but it was with the Warriors he cemented his name as one of the best in the game.
Now after two years in the 15-man code, prodigal son Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back in the NRL.
The 2018 Dally M winner has been picked as a starting centre for his official league return against the Sharks in front of a home crowd in Auckland on Friday.
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Tuivasa-Sheck has made 112 of his 196 NRL appearances to date for the Warriors, and was skipper from the start of 2017 until he departed league late in the 2021 season.
But despite being on the wrong side of 30, Billy Slater says Tuivasa-Sheck is the man he's looking forward to watching the most this season.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' The Billy Slater Podcast, he said the pre-season challenge showed he's still got it, despite moving from fullback into the centres.
"I watched him closely and he's the number one player that I'm looking forward to watching this year," Slater said.
"Only five years ago he was the best player in our game – won the Dally M Medal before a little stint away from the game in rugby union.
"He comes back and he's playing a different position, (but) from what I've seen from the trials, he is going to really excel.
"I think he'll be a top line centre in our game within a short period of time."
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-billy-slater-podcast/walsh-charge-vegas-verdict-round-1-pt-2-preview/embedEarlier in his career, Tuivasa-Sheck had a reputation as having some of the fastest feet in the game.
Slater reckons they're still there.
"He's still got those … he makes people look silly and he's not very young anymore," he said.
"I think he's going to be a wonderful addition."
Slater went on to praise the ethos coach Andrew Webster has instilled in the Warriors, as well as the club's off-season recruitment.
Along with Tuivasa-Sheck's return to the club, Kurt Capewell has joined from the Broncos and Chanel Harris-Tavita returns after a year off.
With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback once he returns from injury, Shaun Johnson in peak form, and Tuivasa-Sheck's return, many are hopeful the Warriors can threaten to win the title.
Slater is among them.
"You think about the year that they had last year and the team ethos that Andrew Webster has instilled in them," he explained.
"Shaun Johnson's got a new lease of life, then you add the standards of Kurt Capewell and an ex-captain and ex-Dally M medalist in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
"I think they're in for an incredible year. If they can stay healthy, they've really picked up in the trials where they left off last year."
It was with the Roosters he announced himself, but it was with the Warriors he cemented his name as one of the best in the game.
Now after two years in the 15-man code, prodigal son Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back in the NRL.
The 2018 Dally M winner has been picked as a starting centre for his official league return against the Sharks in front of a home crowd in Auckland on Friday.
READ MORE: Twist in two-time grand slam champ's doping ban
READ MORE: 'I am OK': NRL great shuts down CTE worries
READ MORE: Leniu goes quiet as V'landys vows 'zero tolerance'
Tuivasa-Sheck has made 112 of his 196 NRL appearances to date for the Warriors, and was skipper from the start of 2017 until he departed league late in the 2021 season.
But despite being on the wrong side of 30, Billy Slater says Tuivasa-Sheck is the man he's looking forward to watching the most this season.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' The Billy Slater Podcast, he said the pre-season challenge showed he's still got it, despite moving from fullback into the centres.
"I watched him closely and he's the number one player that I'm looking forward to watching this year," Slater said.
"Only five years ago he was the best player in our game – won the Dally M Medal before a little stint away from the game in rugby union.
"He comes back and he's playing a different position, (but) from what I've seen from the trials, he is going to really excel.
"I think he'll be a top line centre in our game within a short period of time."
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-billy-slater-podcast/walsh-charge-vegas-verdict-round-1-pt-2-preview/embedEarlier in his career, Tuivasa-Sheck had a reputation as having some of the fastest feet in the game.
Slater reckons they're still there.
"He's still got those … he makes people look silly and he's not very young anymore," he said.
"I think he's going to be a wonderful addition."
Slater went on to praise the ethos coach Andrew Webster has instilled in the Warriors, as well as the club's off-season recruitment.
Along with Tuivasa-Sheck's return to the club, Kurt Capewell has joined from the Broncos and Chanel Harris-Tavita returns after a year off.
With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback once he returns from injury, Shaun Johnson in peak form, and Tuivasa-Sheck's return, many are hopeful the Warriors can threaten to win the title.
Slater is among them.
"You think about the year that they had last year and the team ethos that Andrew Webster has instilled in them," he explained.
"Shaun Johnson's got a new lease of life, then you add the standards of Kurt Capewell and an ex-captain and ex-Dally M medalist in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
"I think they're in for an incredible year. If they can stay healthy, they've really picked up in the trials where they left off last year."
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