Just hours after the Warriors were beaten for the first time this NRL season, the Kiwi club have suffered another surprise setback.
Dual international Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has announced he'll be leaving at the end of the campaign, signing a two-year deal with Super League's Wakefield Trinity.
The 32-year-old fullback/winger who has scored 75 tries in 236 NRL games, but none so far in 2026, has represented New Zealand and Samoa on the international stage in rugby league.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join Wakefield and compete in Super League," Tuivasa-Sheck told the English side's club website.
"My family and I are really excited for the move and new challenge. From the conversations I've had, I can see the club is heading in a really positive direction and I'm looking forward to being part of that journey."
He also had two seasons in Super Rugby Pacific with the Blues in 2022 and 2023 in the hope of making the All Blacks' squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup but missed out on selection.
He played three times for New Zealand's rugby side, debuting against Ireland in Wellington in July 2022 at centre.
After three wins to start this NRL season, the Warriors were beaten 32-14 at home by Wests Tigers on Friday night to miss out on going above Penrith and top of the table.
Tuivasa-Sheck, who has played every minute of the campaign so far under coach Andrew Webster, debuted for the Sydney Roosters in 2012 and spent four years with the Bondi club before heading across the Tasman to join the Warriors.
"He's a super high-quality signing for both the Super League competition and of course for Wakefield Trinity and we look forward to welcoming him into our family and helping us achieve our ambitions in the near future," Wakefield coach Daryl Powell said.
Trinity finished sixth in their first season back in Super League following relegation in 2023, but convinced 2025 NRL grand final winner Tyson Smoothy to leave Brisbane and experienced Samoa hooker Jazz Tevaga to join from Manly.
Wakefield have made a bright start to the 2026 Super League season, winning four of their opening six matches - including Friday night's 26-14 victory at York City - to sit third on the ladder.
