Some of rugby league's greatest former players have praised NZ Warriors' signing of former captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Tuivasa-Sheck will return to the NRL club next season, after signing a three-year deal, ending his short stay in rugby.
The Blues midfielder faces an uphill battle to make All Blacks coach Ian Foster's World Cup squad, after an injury-hit season, but he is expected to make his Super Rugby Pacific return next week, his first outing since the Crusaders on March 18.
Tuivasa-Sheck was expected to extend his stay in rugby past 2023, with Japanese and French clubs reportedly vying for his signature.
Instead, he has decided to return to rugby league for the Warriors, snubbing rival NRL clubs to stay in Auckland.
Former NRL player and rugby league pundit Matthew Johns has praised the coup and believes the signing is the icing on the cake for the highflying Warriors.
"The news just keeps getting better and better for the Warriors," he said on the Late Show With Matty Johns. "They're having a great season and what a signing this is, it will make a big impact in New Zealand.
"It's so important for the game to have a Warriors side that's firing and going well."
Queensland legend Gorden Tallis has echoed Johns' sentiments and praised the Warriors for luring Tuivasa-Sheck away from the All Blacks.
"Obviously, they have a different battle, because they're probably the second-tier game over there," he said. "Obviously, the All Blacks are No.1, but they had a massive crowd last week, they had a tremendous win and this is just the boost in the arm, as one of the Warriors' better players.
"He's been a fantastic player, Roger, and to come back to rugby league to a Warriors side that's super competitive..."
Parramatta Eels icon Nathan Hindmarsh thinks Tuivasa-Sheck will fit right into a different Warriors side from the one we've seen previously.
"It's exciting, it's exciting to watch them win," he said. "The brand of footy they're playing this year, they're not turning their toes up, as they would've in previous years."
Meanwhile, Sir Peter Leitch - better known as 'The Mad Butcher' is delighted to see Tuivasa-Sheck return to "his family".
He also reveals he won't be surprised to see Tuivasa-Sheck return to his former role of Warriors captain.
"Unbelievable," Sir Peter told AM. "I'm so excited, because what you have to understand is that Roger is a very special person.
"He's not only a very talented player, but he's got mana about him. You only have to go to Instagram, and you will see Shaun Johnson, Bunty Afoa and Monty Betham have put messages up, welcoming him home.
"He's unbelievable, he's gifted and he's a lovely, family man, and that's why he wants to stay in New Zealand.
"Never underestimate anything he can do. We knew why he wanted to leave, he wanted to play for the All Blacks and that was his ambition.
"When he was at college, he played rugby and league. He loves both games, but I think he thinks the Warriors are part of his family."
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