WAKEFIELD TRINITY have described the signing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as “a huge shift in the landscape of Super League”.
The 32-year-old New Zealand Warriors star, a Dally M Medal and International Golden Boot winner, will join ambitious Wakefield from next season on a two-year deal.
Tuivasa-Sheck first revealed the news in a video blog, saying: “That’s it, done. I just signed a two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity in Super League.
“I’ll take my family with me, have an adventure, try and win the comp, and have a lot of fun.
“Let’s see how we go – the show goes on.”
Wakefield were a Championship club two years ago but owner Matt Ellis has designs on competing at the top of Super League and they finished sixth on their top-flight return last season.
When the signing was confirmed on Friday, Trinity head coach Daryl Powell said: “We are obviously an ambitious club and signing Roger shows that once again.
“He’s a super high-quality signing for both the Super League competition and of course for Wakefield Trinity and we look forward to welcoming him into our family and him helping us achieve our ambitions in the near future.”
Ste Mills, Wakefield’s director of rugby, went further, saying: “Bringing someone like Roger to Wakefield is a huge shift in the landscape of Super League.
“We believe he is one of the final pieces to our puzzle and someone of his calibre and experience will only help propel the club towards silverware.
“We’ve worked tirelessly since the opportunity arose and we cannot be happier to have Roger as part of the club for the next couple of seasons.”
Versatile back Tuivasa-Sheck has starred both in the NRL and internationally, as well as in rugby union as an All Black.
He broke through with Sydney Roosters and helped them win the NRL in 2013, which was only his second season, playing on the wing in their Grand Final victory over Manly Sea Eagles.
Part of the New Zealand squad which reached the World Cup final that year – scoring two tries in the semi-final win over England at Wembley – he then joined the Warriors in 2015 and enjoyed the best spell of his career.
Tuivasa-Sheck won the Dally M Medal as the NRL’s best player in 2018, and followed that up with the Golden Boot award as the best player in internationals the following year after shining at fullback in two wins over the touring Great Britain.
But he left rugby league to take on its rival code in 2021, playing a season and a half for the Auckland-based Blues in the continent-wide Super Rugby Pacific competition.
As a centre, Tuivasa-Sheck played three games for New Zealand in 2022 against Ireland, Australia and Japan.
He came back to the Warriors ahead of the 2024 season and has since taken his overall NRL record to 75 tries in 236 matches.
On his return to league he also switched allegiance to Samoa, the country of his birth, adding five caps to the 20 made for the Kiwis.
Tuivasa-Sheck is Wakefield’s second confirmed signing for 2027 after the capture of Leeds Rhinos loose-forward Cameron Smith on a four-year contract.