Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at pre-season training with the Warriors. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has made an immediate return to the Warriors lineup after being named in the centres for Sunday's NRL pre-season game against West Tigers in Christhurch.
After playing the last two seasons in union, including playing three games for the All Blacks, Tuivasa-Sheck is back with the Warriors.
Shaun Johnson won't play on Sunday as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Former captain Tuivasa-Sheck has been named to start in the centres and the 24-year-old Chanel Harris-Tavita at halfback in a squad which includes 13 players with first-grade experience.
Tuivasa-Sheck's last NRL appearance - his 111th for the club - was against Penrith on July 18, 2021 before he was granted an early release to switch to rugby union.
Harris-Tavita stepped away from the NRL after his 54th career outing, the season-ending loss against Gold Coast on September 3, 2022.
Tuivasa-Sheck's rugby league comeback was heralded in April last year when he signed a three-year contract to become a Warrior again while Harris-Tavita's return to the Warriors after a year away from the game was announced just a month later in May.
Tuivasa-Sheck is paired alongside left winger Marcelo Montoya - named captain for this game - while Harris-Tavita is teamed in the halves with Luke Metcalf.
The Warriors play the Sharks in their opening NRL game on March 8th.