Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Chooses Samoa for Rugby League

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has officially switched his international allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa, with aspirations of winning the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The move was confirmed by Kiwis coach Stacey Jones, who expressed respect for Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to represent his birth nation. Samoa's coach, Ben Gardiner, aims to build a cohesive team for the upcoming World Cup, hoping Tuivasa-Sheck's participation will inspire other players to follow suit and join the Samoan squad. Tuivasa-Sheck, a dual-code international with 20 Tests for New Zealand and a Dally M Medal, previously played for the All Blacks in rugby union. Samoa, which finished as runners-up in the 2021 World Cup, seeks to strengthen their roster with Tuivasa-Sheck and other emerging talents. The Samoan team is preparing for their maiden Test tour of England, while the Kiwis also plan their international schedule for the upcoming season.