Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has moved quickly to shut down Samoa's suggestion that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could switch international eligibility when he returns to rugby league later this year.
At the launch of the Pacific Championships this week, Toa Samoa assistant coach Frank Pritchard told NRL.com that Tuivasa-Sheck is among the players he hopes to have available for the inaugural competition.
But in response Maguire said he has confidence that the former Dally M Medal winner's heart remains with New Zealand, who he played 20 Tests for between 2013-2019.
“I’ve seen first-hand how passionate he (Tuivasa-Sheck) is about playing for New Zealand and how passionately committed he is to the Kiwis jersey," Maguire told NRL.com.
"He’s really helped build what we have in the last few years in the Kiwis space.
I’ve got no doubt that when he’s back in rugby league he’ll continue to be as passionate as he has been for New Zealand.
Michael Maguire
“One of the best things about Roger is that he’s extremely committed. Once he puts his focus on something he’s locked in 100 percent and he goes at it 100 miles an hour, which is what he has done and continues to do for the Kiwis jersey.
“I’ll reach out to him and see what his interest is... I know Roger really wants to finish his time well in union and I really respect that about him, as he wants to give his best before coming back."
It remains to be discovered where Tuivasa-Sheck – who was born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand – sees his future in the international game after agreeing to return to the Warriors on a three-year deal from 2024.
It may be unknown even beyond the Pacific Championships too, with his rugby union commitments potentially ruling him out of contention for that competition.
But either way the battle to secure his services – and no doubt other players who are eligible for both New Zealand and Samoa – sets the scene nicely for when the two nations meet on the field over the weekend of October 21-22 at Eden Park.
With a group stage game and the tournament final scheduled for New Zealand, Maguire said he is excited to take the national team home on the back of the hype that's been built by the Warriors' success so far in the 2023 NRL season.
A host of new faces are set to be part of the campaign, with the NZRL to field a New Zealand 'A' outfit against Tonga 'A', alongside the Test team at Eden Park.
"Hosting the [Pacific Championships final] in Hamilton is a great opportunity for New Zealand, as are the Eden Park games," Maguire said.
"There’s a real swell of rugby league with the success of the Warriors this year and we’re looking forward to being back home in front of our fans and feeling their support.
“It’ll be a big squad with a new group of players coming into the Kiwis jersey, which is always exciting as a coach.
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"Players like Deine Mariner and Leo Thompson have been performing well for their clubs.
"There’s been a lot of young guys who are stepping up this year, and it’s great to be see the next generation of Kiwis players keen to play for the jersey that the guys in front of them have helped build.”