Prime Minister Scott Morrison plays key role in Sharks’ attacking unit

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has emerged as a key member of his beloved Cronulla Sharks’ success this year, with halfback Chad Townsend bringing ‘ScoMo’ onto the playing field.

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The off-spinner from former Prime Minister John Howard in 2005 to a bunch of kids in Pakistan landed at his feet.

The legendary Bob Hawke’s pride in Australia II’s 1983 America’s Cup win is matched only by his preparedness to down a schooner on cue.

And one-time key holder to the Lodge, Tony Abbott, was just at home in his budgie smugglers as he was on the rugby union field with Sydney University.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Cronulla Sharks halfback Chad Townsend.

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Now it’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s turn to continue a fabled connection between Australian sport and the most important job in the country.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal that Morrison has emerged as a key member of his beloved Cronulla Sharks’ success this year.

The NRL heavyweights have even nicknamed one of their best attacking movements “ScoMo”.

In a deliberate ploy to keep their opposition guessing, all NRL teams have secret names for attacking plays.

‘ScoMo’ joins former PMs in having a link to Australia’s sporting scene.

So Sharks halfback and chief playmaker Chad Townsend decided to name one after our PM and the club’s No.1 ticket-holder.

Townsend wouldn’t reveal what the “ScoMo” entailed but he did confirm that it had already been successful during the opening two weeks of the season.

“(Sharks coach) Johnny Morris came up with the move and where the play is going to be at a certain point on the field,’’ Townsend smiled.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott played a game of club rugby for Forest Rugby Club. Picture: David Swift.

“We were sitting in a video meeting going over the play and we were like, ‘we need to come up with a name for it.’

“I just turned to Johnny and said, ‘How about ScoMo?’

“He started laughing and then said, ‘All right boys, it’s ScoMo.

“I just thought, after last year, we went to Kirribilli House and he had the whole club there.

“He’s a massive fan and the No.1 ticket-holder and I thought it would be a good way to honour him as the PM and as a Sharks fan to get him involved.

Townsend named a Sharks attacking play after the Prime Minister.

“We’ve trained for it a lot, it’s a big part of our attack.’’

Morrison, who once resided in the Sutherland Shire, invited the entire Cronulla club to Kirribilli House for a BBQ just weeks after being appointed PM in August last year.

The father of two also attends as many Sharks home games as he can, including last week when alongside NRL CEO Todd Greenberg he watched Cronulla beat the Gold Coast at Shark Park.

“ScoMo” was also spotted in the dressing rooms immediately following the Sharks’ win over the Titans. He snapped selfies with Townsend, which The Telegraph has obtained.

“I told him we’d named one of our plays after him and he just laughed,’’ Townsend said.

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“I hope he’s chuffed because he’s a big part of this club and our community. He’s one of us.’’

Sharks prop Aaron Woods feels privileged that the PM is not only a Sharks fan but a rugby league supporter.

“Normally you’re in awe of these type of people, but he’s more like one of your mates,’’ Woods said.

“It’s pretty cool when he comes in and takes selfies with Chaddy. We all think Chaddy will probably be the next prime minister.

“But seriously, to see someone like that, given how high is regarded, to be average Joe like all of us who loves the team and to sing the song, it’s cool.

“And for the PM to be right behind this club, there’s probably no bigger person in the country to have your backing.’’

The Sharks will be hoping ScoMo delivers tonight when they face North Queensland in Townsville at 5.30pm tonight.