Roosters recruit Josh Morris concedes NRL stars could be forced back into the workforce

As the rugby league world continues to spiral into uncertainty, Roosters veteran Josh Morris has conceded players may have to re-enter the workforce to make ends meet.

Josh Morris of the Sharks during the round 2 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, in Sydney, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Roosters recruit Josh Morris says NRL players could be forced back into the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing: “Ending up on the tools this year is a very real prospect”.

With the NRL competition currently suspended indefinitely, it appears almost certain that everyone involved in elite rugby league – including some 480 players – are going to be forced into taking pay cuts.

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Morris agreed to join the Roosters mid-season. AAP Image/Craig Golding.

Speaking on Triple M early Tuesday morning, Morris conceded that with no end date on the code’s shutdown, even senior players like himself could be forced back into the workforce.

Quizzed on the impact the game’s shutdown could have on players, Morris replied: “For myself, I’ve played the game long enough to have some money put away.

“But I also have mortgages that I have to pay as well.

“I’m doing a carpentry course at TAFE at the moment and could end up on the tools at the end of the year, it’s a very real prospect.”

Despite starting the year with Cronulla, Morris had only this week switched to the Roosters, where he was preparing for his first game with the Tricolours alongside twin brother Brett.

The 33-year-old centre, who boasts six Tests for Australia and 15 Origins with NSW, revealed the shutdown came only hours into his first day at Roosters HQ.

Morris has been in the league for 13 years. AAP Image/Craig Golding.

“I had a pretty long day getting to know all the boys,” Morris said of his Monday arrival. “Then at 5:30pm last night we had a meeting and got told the season was being suspended.

“We are just waiting on advice from the head and obviously the club to see what to do moving forward.

“Like everyone we will probably be in isolation of some sort.”

Morris also told Triple M’s Moonman In The Morning program that he was particularly concerned for those younger players “living month to month on their pay check”.