Incoming NZ Warriors coach Nathan Brown says it would be a "bonus" if captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was at the club for the 2021 NRL campaign.
The Warriors' 2021 campaign is filled with uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, and plans are already well underway for the team to be based in Redcliffe, Queensland for next season.
Tuivasa-Sheck has had it the toughest out of all the Warriors players this year as he's the only Kiwi-player without his family in the team's Central Coast bubble.
In July, Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu’a, Agnatius Paasi, King Vuniyayawa, and Leivaha Pulu all departed the Warriors' bubble to be with their families in New Zealand.
After the Warriors' win over the Wests Tigers last month, interim coach Todd Pyaten said Tuivasa-Sheck was "doing it tough" being away from his family, which led to multiple reports the fullback could make a switch to rugby union to remain close to his family.
A report from the Daily Telegraph said NZ Rugby contacted Tuivasa-Sheck about switching to union and potentially trying to become an All Black, but he was only offered $550,000 a year - half the money he currently earns with his contract at the Warriors, which doesn't expire until the end of the 2022 NRL season.
The report adds that Tuivasa-Sheck "has been assured he can relocate his family to Redcliffe next year" which has "virtually shut the door on any code switch".
Despite that, Brown admitted he wasn't certain that the 2019 Golden Boot winner star would still be with the club next season.
"I haven't had any contact with Roger for a week or so but I'll have a chat with him next week," Brown told Triple M.
"Where it's all at, at the moment, I don't 100 percent know but there is a possibility Roger could be playing rugby league next year which would obviously be a bonus for the club.
"But I also know Roger does have a desire to represent the All Blacks like many, many young Kiwi kids."
Meanwhile, Brown feels prop Addin Fonua-Blake would be a fantastic addition to the side for the 2021 NRL season.
Earlier this week, the Manly Sea Eagles granted Fonua-Blake's request for an early release from the last two years of his contract, and the Tonga and international wants to relocate out of Sydney with his young family.
The Warriors have reportedly offered the 24-year-old a three-year deal, worth $2.5million after missing out on the likes of Jack De Belin, David Fifita, and Toby Rudolf in recent months.
"He's certainly an outstanding player, Addin," says Brown. "If you look at that position, the front-row position, he's in the top echelon of players in the world.
"He's certainly not only played some terrific footy for Manly but he's been a big part of the Tongan success as well against Australia.
"So he's certainly a player that fits the bill, not only for our club but for most clubs when a player of Addin's talent comes on the market there's always people looking to move players or do certain things because they don't come on the market every day.
"It's very rare a player of that quality comes on the market at this time of year.
"He's certainly a player who would not only help our squad but he'd help any squad, Addin because he's such a high-quality player and he's only 24 so his best years are coming."
Meanwhile, rugby league journalist Brent Read is reporting the Warriors have approached Jack Hetherington to sign with the club on a permanent deal after the Penrith Panthers permitted him to speak with rival clubs.
Hetherington played six games for the Warriors this season, on loan from the Panthers.
If the Warriors are to sign both players, they would need to clear up roster space, and Stuff is reporting that Adam Blair has been offered an off-field role.
Blair has an option in his favour to play next season, but the Warriors are wanting him to opt-out as they look to build for the future.
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