The worst kept secret in New Zealand rugby has finally been put to bed with the Blues confirming they have signed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from 2022.
Auckland rugby fans can rest easy now after the Warriors skipper - who signed for New Zealand rugby last week to chase his All Black's dream - committed to not only the Auckland Super Rugby side but also Mitre 10 Cup side Auckland on a two-year deal.
"It has been a dream of mine for a long time to one day play rugby union again, to get this opportunity with New Zealand Rugby, the Blues and Auckland is exciting," Tuivasa-Sheck says. "The timing feels right to do this now but that said, I have a big year ahead of me and will turn my attention to this opportunity later in the year."
Fans won't have to wait long before seeing the much talked about Warriors fullback in rugby union, with the Auckland native suiting up in Auckland's blue and white hoops in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.
The Blues always looked odds on to sign the 2018 Daily-M Medal winner.
"You would have to talk to Roger about that but we would like to think so," Blues chief executive Andrew Hore says. "He came through the pathways here, played schools rugby here, lives here and seems a very proud Auckland boy.
"So it made sense but you just never know what's happening in a players life that they may want to take a decision another way."
Hore is thrilled to have it done and dusted and to have a player of Tuivasa-Sheck quality on board.
"The Blues are thrilled to have Roger wearing our colours from next year," Hore says. "His roots were in rugby and we know he will be an exceptional player but more importantly he is an outstanding leader who will embrace the links we are creating in the wider community.
"Roger will be a superb contributor to our club, and we hope his fans will follow him to Eden Park next season."
He is a specialist fullback in rugby league but his position in the 15-man code has been up for speculation.
The Blues are a side on the rise and will feature one of the most lethal backlines in the competition in 2022 and just where Tuivasa-Sheck fits in is very much up for debate.
The Blues will have the option of playing Beauden Barrett - who returns from his sabbatical year in Japan - or Otere Black at first-five, Mark Telea and Caleb Clark will be on either wings and Rieko Ioane at centre. That leaves the Warriors fullback to fill the gap at either second-five or fullback to give the Auckland side a backline on paper that looks unstoppable.
