NRL news: Manly star Josh Schuster chosen in New Zealand’s preliminary World Cup squad
When New Zealand coach Michael Maguire released his preliminary World Cup squad one name in particular ruffled feathers on this side of the ditch.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A trans-Tasman tug of war has erupted for the services of Josh Schuster after the Manly young gun was a shock inclusion in a New Zealand squad announced on Thursday.
Schuster has long been earmarked as a representative star and he showed every bit of that class during the Sea Eagles’ premiership tilt this year.
So much so he was picked in Michael Maguire’s preliminary 38-man squad for next year’s end-of-season World Cup. Schuster is the nephew of former All Blacks player John Schuster.
NSW were set to pick Schuster in their extended squad for the opening Origin game this year before a minor calf injury ruled him out.
The 20-year-old said he was stunned by the interest in his eligibility but his preference was to play for the Blues.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be selected by the Kiwis and by Michael as my uncle played for the All Blacks,” Schuster told News Corp.
“Although my dreams and aspirations are to play for the NSW Blues and Australia. If that does not happen I have options on both sides.
“I’m overwhelmed by the interest. I didn’t think I would’ve been selected in any representative teams this year. If anything, I am just very grateful.”
Schuster was coached by NSW mentor Brad Fittler as part of the Blues under-16s team in 2017. He also represented NSW under-18s and has been earmarked by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga as a future Australian representative.
“We would be certainly interested, obviously,” Meninga said.
“This year he did well. He will develop and become a better player next year. But he has to make himself available for NSW before he plays for Australia of course.
“I would certainly like him to commit to NSW and Australia — that would be my thoughts on it. If he makes that choice to play for NSW — I don’t think he is far away — I would welcome him as part of the Australian set-up (in the future).
“In think he is a great enough player to get himself in that situation. I wouldn’t say no but it is his decision.”
NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden added: “He has been part of our representative pathways at every age group we select players in.
“He is also a player who has been identified by our high-performance staff as a future Origin player and we would hate to see him lost to the NSW system.”
It is understood Schuster ticked boxes for NSW and Australia on his contract with Manly, but was tempted when he received a phone call from Maguire asking him whether he would be interested in playing for the Kiwis.
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, another player who dominated eligibility headlines this year, has been handed a representative lifeline by Maguire after being picked in the squad.
Mulitalo had chosen to play for Queensland instead of the Kiwis but his hopes of making his Maroons debut were dashed on the day of the game when he was ruled ineligible because he didn’t meet the Origin selection guidelines.
Having previously backflipped on a decision to play for New Zealand because he wanted to pursue his Origin dream, Mulitalo has been given a second chance by Maguire in the extended squad.
Reimis Smith, Morgan Harper, Jordan Riki and Erin Clark are among the uncapped players in the squad who are joined by the likes of James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Brown, Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Brandon Smith.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL news: Manly star Josh Schuster chosen in New Zealand’s preliminary World Cup squad
Ex-NRL star’s impressive heavyweight KO
Alex Leapai Jr, a promising NRL front-rower before making the switch to boxing, has impressed with a dominant knockout.
Bulldogs ramp up Hunt chase after missing out on Storm star
The Bulldogs are set to turn their attention back to Ben Hunt, after Canterbury supremo Phil Gould failed in a secret last-ditch attempt to poach Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen.