Anthony Minichiello, the 302-game Sydney Roosters legend, said his role as the club's mentor for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck would not change despite the mid-week announcement he's signed-on for the New Zealand Warriors next year.

Tuivasa-Sheck was Minichiello's understudy and playing on the Roosters' wing, before the former international retired after last season's preliminary final loss to South Sydney.

When he joined the club's coaching and marketing departments last November an important part of Minichiello's brief in his "second life" as a Rooster was to help Tuivasa-Sheck become the code's best No. 1.

"We worked on his defensive play and getting the numbers right during the pre-season," said Minichiello. "He's got a good feel for it now and I think he's been one of our best players."

Minichiello insisted his mission to make the 21-year-old the best fullback possible hadn't changed despite revelations he had accepted a deal from the Warriors estimated to be worth $800,000 per season to replace Englishman Sam Tomkins.

Tomkins wants to return to England, where he has a lucrative offer to join Wigan while there's interest from rugby union.

"Of course my job is the same, he's still at the Roosters this year," said Minichiello. "[It's been good working with him] he's a quick learner, he has plenty of talent; he's basically the full package."

Minichiello said Tuivasa-Sheck would not be distracted by what lies ahead in 2016, saying he'd made a heart-felt commitment to give the Roosters everything he can and it was a pledge Tuivasa-Sheck lived up to in Friday's match in Brisbane.

"He's already stressed to the boys he's not worried about next year," said Minichiello. "His sole focus is this season and doing well the Roosters and he's a real professional."

Tuivasa-Sheck told NRL.com days before announcing his decision to join the Warriors that Minichiello's support was a comfort.

"Every time after games I go up to him and rack his brain: 'Did I do this right?', 'Did I do that right?' or 'Can you check this?'," said Tuivasa-Sheck. "He's always happy to check stuff out for me and see how I'm going and where I can improve.

"He was the best defensive fullback in the game when he played and now to be able to continue learning off him in terms of our defensive system is very special. Mini was the man at that and it's really good to have him still here to fall back on."

The Roosters are hunting for a quality replacement for Tuivasa-Sheck who was lured to Sydney three-years-ago by their recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.

South Sydney's Alex Johnston, who is on the wing because Greg Inglis fills that jumper at Redfern, has been mentioned as a target as has Wallabies sensation, and former Parramatta star, Israel Folau.

The Roosters revealed they have big plans for 17-year-old Latrell Mitchell who plays fullback in their under 20s.  While he is not eligible to make his first-grade debut until he turns 18 in June, he's described by Roosters' officials as a superstar of the future.