RTS to wear Roosters No.1: Minichiello

Departing great Anthony Minichiello says young gun Roger Tuivasa-Sheck deserves to assume the Sydney Roosters No.1 jersey ahead of Blake Ferguson.

The NRL club is expected to sign Ferguson to a lifeline deal for next season, and the troubled former NSW star has shown signs that he could have a Greg Inglis-like ability in the future at fullback.

However, Minichiello said the freakishly talented Ferguson should stay in the front line and believes Tuivasa-Sheck is a career custodian for the Roosters.

Tuivasa-Sheck has big shoes to fill, following into bat a man who has played 302 matches, won premierships, State of Origins and a Golden Boot award for best player in the world.

But Minichiello says the 21-year-old will make a seamless transition from wing to fullback.

“He’ll handle the attack side of it with ease. There’s still a few things he wants to learn in his positional play and his defensive line organisation, but he’s a quick learner and he’s a definite long-term option there. He’s a superstar,” said Minichiello.

“Fergo can play fullback, but his main position is centre and wing. With Roger moving to fullback, there’s a position there (out wide for Ferguson).”

Minichiello won’t rule out a cameo return at next year’s Auckland Nines tournament, but believes he will be happily retired at 34.

The beloved Roosters legend bowed out in disappointing fashion given the nature of the defeat to South Sydney in a preliminary final.

But on a personal level he exited in style – scoring a double, including a try from his final touch of the football ever in first grade.

Minichiello has been approached to play for the Roosters in the Nines in February and will spend the summer contemplating whether to front up for an encore.

“Todd Greenberg (NRL head of football) asked me to come and play the Nines but I don’t know,” he said.

“I’m going to chill over the off-season, go away with my family and relax and see what happens.

“It’s not even in my thought process at the moment but you never say never.

“It’s a bit surreal. Everyone is on holidays now as well so it will sink in more when they all go back to pre-season training at the end of November and I’m putting on a suit.

“I’m pretty happy with my decision. I’m obviously going to miss the boys but I’ll be around the club so hopefully I can get my fix there.”

Minichiello said he was proud of his 300-game achievement, joining best mate Luke Ricketson, particularly after the shocking back injuries which threatened to curtail his career.

The respect the game has for Minichiello was illustrated by the Rabbitohs pausing their celebrations to form a guard of honour for their Roosters rival.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the club and game couldn’t do justice to Minichiello’s retirement.

“You always want to do more,” he said.

“You don’t see players like Mini finish their careers very often.”

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