RTS in the USA: Warriors star gets off-season training boost

Not content with last year's Golden Boot award already sitting on his mantelpiece in Auckland, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck spent a fortnight in the United States last month seeking ways to get even better.   

The Warriors skipper sacrificed two weeks of pre-season training with his teammates in order to complete the trip, which included visiting the renowned the IMG Academy sports training facility and also training at Nike's New York headquarters.

"Pretty much the whole trip was about getting better and trying to self develop. I had a few courses that I went through [as well]," Tuivasa-Sheck said.

"I just went over for some self awareness of how they look after their bodies, how they eat, how they sleep, things like that.

"[The IMG Academy] was a good spot and I just went over to check out the facilities and how they operate."

It comes off the back of the 26-year-old fullback enjoying a standout 2019 season at NRL and Test level.

After averaging 206 metres per game for the Warriors last year Tuivasa-Sheck finished fifth-equal in the overall Dally M Medal tally and was the next best fullback behind overall winner James Tedesco.

RTS was later voted the best player in the international game after helping the Kiwis to a 2-0 series victory over Great Britain, but said those achievements mean nothing now.   

"Someone close to me once said you have got to recreate yourself every year, and that's what I try and do," Tuivasa-Sheck said.

"[I want] to come out here and try and be better and try not to go off what I did last year."

Despite looking sharp during Wednesday's field session in Auckland, he admitted he hasn't yet returned to full fitness, and coach Stephen Kearney all but confirmed he wouldn't be risked at the NRL Nines in Perth on February 14-15.

Winger David Fusitu'a, who has been battling hamstring issues through the pre-season, is also likely to miss the tournament.  

In more positive injury news, young hookers Karl Lawton and Wayde Egan are both tracking to be available for the club's upcoming trials against the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers.

Kearney said veteran centre Gerard Beale is also ahead of schedule in his comeback from a gruesome knee injury suffered last season.

"Karl and Wayde, who both had surgery in the off-season on their shoulder, took part in the back end of the full contact [on Wednesday]," Kearney said.

"That was their first day [doing full contact].

"By all accounts they have pulled up OK so we will start progressing that and giving them more load."