NRL 2021: Cronulla Sharks star Shaun Johnson considers shock code switch

The halves merry-go-round is heating up, but a meeting between Cronulla’s Shaun Johnson and an influential rugby coach has thrown a massive curve ball.

Sharks star Shaun Johnson could be on the move. Picture: Digital image by Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

A meeting between former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and Shaun Johnson has delivered a shock new twist in the NRL’s off-contract halves battle.

The recent face-to-face meeting with Cheika and the Cronulla five-eighth can be revealed ahead of a significant 48 hours that could decide the futures of the most influential playmakers in the game.

Off-contract halves Adam Reynolds, Mitchell Moses and Johnson are linked to a three-way battle for their signatures between the Eels, Broncos and Sharks.

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The Broncos hierarchy of coach Kevin Walters and new CEO Dave Donaghy will land in Sydney to pitch to all three halves on Sunday.

However, Johnson’s meeting with Cheika has triggered the possibility of an unexpected cross-code swap for the former Kiwi Test half.

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had a meeting with Shaun Johnson.

Cheika, a former World Rugby Coach of the Year and who is working in a consultancy role with the Roosters, has connections and ties throughout the rugby globe.

Johnson’s appeal to cashed-up Japanese rugby union clubs would be undeniable.

Super Rugby players in Australia have proven they can earn three to four times more by taking their game to Japan.

Cheika is passionate about continuing to promote rugby union — both here and abroad — by scouting the best footballers, from either rugby league or rugby union.

He has previously spoken openly about why the 15-man code would be crazy not to hold dialogue with established NRL stars who have a background in rugby union, including Knights star Kalyn Ponga, Roosters backrower Angus Crichton and Rabbitohs ­forward Cameron Murray.

“I would not be doing my job if I didn’t speak to the best players around and say ’mate, are you interested in playing?,’’ Cheika said last year.

Sharks star Shaun Johnson could be on the move. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

“(Kalyn) Ponga played rugby (during his schoolboy days in Brisbane), like many players, and I think that this leads back to a different discussion about it.

“Not as much about whether I spoke to this guy or that guy or whatever, it comes back to the discussion that players who are coming through our schools are playing rugby, we need to be securing them and giving them a pathway that they want to play the game and not go and play league.

“There’s a bunch of guys who are playing NRL right now who have come through the rugby schools.”

Johnson last played rugby union for his New Zealand high school Orewa College.

Meanwhile, Walters was due to fly south on Saturday to meet Reynolds, but the trip was delayed 24 hours as the Brisbane coach met for a debrief with Donaghy, who has officially taken office at Red Hill.

Kevin Walters and new Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy are expected to meet Shaun Johnson and Adam Reynolds on Sunday. Picture: Annette Dew

The Broncos also want to meet Johnson and Moses.

Donaghy is tipped to accompany Walters and the duo will travel to Sydney buoyed by revelations the Eels are officially out of the race for the signature of Kotoni Staggs.

It is understood Parramatta cannot afford to lure Staggs on an $800,000-a-season deal and have redirected their funds towards signing Maroons flyer Dane Gagai and upgrading halfback Mitchell Moses.

Staggs’ preference is to remain at Red Hill but the off-contract strike weapon was holding off inking a $2 million-plus extension until he had more clarity over Brisbane’s pursuit of a dominant No.7.
However, with Brisbane’s primary poaching threats, the Titans and Eels, having both withdrawn interest in the past fortnight, Staggs’ retention at Red Hill appears a fait accompli.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Cronulla Sharks star Shaun Johnson considers shock code switch