1
'Contemplate and consider it': NRL star Cameron Murray refuses to rule out code switch
By Finn Morton
It’s no secret that Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is eager to lure some world class talent to the 15-player game from rugby league.
Veteran coach Jones has been outspoken with his desire to bring back players “who were initially lost from rugby” to the sport, as he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Every year, it seems like countless schoolboy talents are lost to the rival code, before going on to star at both NRL and representative level in rugby league.
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray is one of the many who got away.
The New South Wales Blues and Australian lock played rugby union at high school, before following in his fathers footsteps by playing for South Sydney.
But Jones wants him back in rugby union.
“Of the current players, there’s a rugby player called Cameron Murray who’d be pretty handy,” Jones told SEN’s Mornings with Matt White on Monday.
“He’d be a fantastic 12 in rugby.”
Rabbitohs captain Murray has added fuel to the fire following Jones’ comments, refusing to rule out a code switch in the future.
While the 25-year-old is intending to see out his three-year deal with the famous NRL club, Murray said he would “contemplate and consider” a career change “long-term.”
“Yeah, I contemplate and consider it long-term, but that’s as much energy as I give it, so it’s all hypotheticals right now,” Murray told Nine News.
“As far as I’m concerned, my loyalty is with my next three years at the club while I’m contracted here, and that’s where my focus and energy is.”
Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona has also expressed his interest in returning to rugby union sometime in the future.
Asofa-Solomona, who was a schoolboy sensation with Wellington College, is coming off a career-best season with the Storm.
But the 26-year-old has opened up about his desire to return to union “at some stage.”
“Obviously I’ve been at the Storm for such a long time,” Asofa-Solomona told The Herald and The Age.
“Coming from a rugby union background, I’ve always been enticed to go back to rugby at some stage.
“Just seeing the talent we have got at the Storm and the future they have, the Storm is in good hands even if I leave.
“I’m not too sure what I want to do, I change my mind every day.
“It’s hard to say (if I’d join the Wallabies). I’d be silly not to consider all my options.”
Jones famously led the Wallabies to a World Cup final on home soil in 2003 with a few rugby league players in his squad.
Dual internationals Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers all played starring roles in the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments