With their captain set to leave, and their star winger already out the door, NZ Warriors appear to be closing in on the ideal replacement for both.
Newshub understands the club's edging closer to signing Kiwis captain and Bulldogs star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
The 25-year-old has emerged as a top target in recent weeks, as a player entering the prime of his career with leadership, speed and strength seen as exactly what the Warriors need.
To have someone come into our club and bring some leadership and some aggression for our backs it's pretty awesome, says Warriors prop Bunty Afoa.
"We're certainly looking at players and his name was certainly thrown up," admits coach Nathan Brown.
But the Warriors want him, and certainly need him.
With winger Ken Maumalo released early from his contrct last week and captain Tuivasa-Sheck on the way out to pursue his All Blacks dreams, Watene-Zelezniak is seen as the perfect replacement, especially with his Kiwi links.
"It's something new for them to move to New Zealand and it's a challenge for them too, and for him to come to us it's a massive bonus for us," Afoa adds.
Watene Zeleniak would be a major coup for the side, who accept there isn't much more room for error if they're to make the top eight.
"The reality is we can't slip up. We can't afford to lose any more games," says Afoa.
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