NRL: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to retain Warriors captaincy

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes a break against his former side the Sydney Roosters. Photo / Photosport.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will retain the Warriors captaincy for the upcoming NRL season despite the arrival of Kiwis leader Adam Blair, as the club prepares to face a battle to keep the New Zealand test fullback.

Tuivasa-Sheck – who is off-contact at the end of the season - will line-up for his second year as Warriors skipper alongside Blair, the club's marquee signing from the Brisbane Broncos, who captained the Kiwis at last year's Rugby League World Cup.

Despite Blair's leadership experience, Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed Tuivasa-Sheck would remain as the club's captain as they look to break a six-year finals drought.

"(Coach) Stephen (Kearney) and I have spoken about it a number of times over the off-season and we have no doubt that Roger is a very suitable and appropriate person to be our captain and lead the club forward. Nothing has changed in my mind," George told NRL.com yesterday.

"Roger is a winner, he is a quality person and he has a very good rapport with people on and off the field.

"He is the type of person we are very comfortable having lead our club and someone we can continue to build around."

Tuivasa-Sheck was one of the best performers for the Kiwis at the Rugby League World Cup. Photo / Photosport.

The news follows reports from late last year suggesting Tuivasa-Sheck may switch codes to play rugby once his current deal expires, while earlier this week, the South Sydney Rabbitohs were reportedly preparing to make a bid for his services.

The Warriors are well aware their No1 will be a prime target for rival clubs and cashed up rugby franchises, but will do everything in their power to hang on to him long-term.

"Roger is a major priority for the Warriors," George told the Herald on Tuesday.

"We've had some initial discussions and Roger and his manager.

"We'll leave Roger to focus on the pre-season and we'll talk again in the near future."