Josh Schuster’s NRL comeback could be over amid damning Wayne Bennett move

Wayne Bennett took a gamble on Josh Schuster, but the experiment could be over before he played a single game in Souths colours.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett decided to take a risk on Josh Schuster, signing the talented back-rower to a one-year deal at the end of last year, but it appears the risk hasn’t paid off.

The promising utility was in limbo after accepting a $1 million severance package from the Sea Eagles but was reportedly keen on reviving his NRL career at Redfern, believing Bennett was the mentor he needed,

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However, Schuster’s Rabbitohs experiment appears to be over before it really began with reports emerging this week that he has failed to recapture his love of rugby league and his headspace is once again cause for concern.

The 23-year-old reportedly has been unable to commit his future to rugby league and Bennett has lost confidence in Schuster to become the X-factor he signed him to be, Code Sports report.

Schuster was overlooked for South Sydney’s pre-season match against Manly last weekend and as team lists came out on Tuesday, he again failed to make the squad to face the Dragons this Saturday.

Josh Schuster's second crack at becoming an NRL star could be over before it began. Image: Instagram/Getty

The former league prodigy is understood to have some injury niggles.

But even if he was 100 per cent fit, he was unlikely to be part of the extended line-up.

And Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould believes football just isn’t for Schuster.

“Josh has had some challenges in life and I don’t know whether football has been an asset or a hindrance to him. He needs to work out whether football is a solution and passion for him or not and whether he wants to actually do it,” Gould said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.

“If you know Josh’s past, that’s not an easy question to answer.

Josh Schuster’s commitment has again been questioned. Image: NRL Images.

“He plays football because he is talented, but whether he needs football is another question and that’s a conversation you can only have with him.

“There’s no doubting his talent and if he’s looking for a mentor in life, Wayne Bennett is obviously someone who can help him … He’s not there to save the Rabbitohs – they are there to save him.”

Bennett must now face the reality that he has 29 other members in his top 30 squad to focus on and if Schuster’s heart and head aren’t in it he must move on.

The 23-year-old is a talent there is no doubting that but his attitude and commitment to the sport have been questioned for the best part of four years.

Josh Schuster was once on of the most exciting NRL prospects. Image: NRL PHOTOS

His work ethic was even mentioned by the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, showcasing just how big of a problem it is for Schuster.

“It’s not going to be easy for him to get back into first grade, because he’s been quite inconsistent and coming in and out,” Cherry-Evans said about Schuster in 2023.

 “I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity.

 “That is rugby league mate – if you’re not willing to work hard enough, if you’re not willing to sacrifice, you just don’t last long.”

While many are crossing their fingers for a Schuster rugby league resurgence the likelihood of it happening is appearing slimmer by the day.

Originally published as Josh Schuster’s NRL comeback could be over amid damning Wayne Bennett move