NRL Market Watch: Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr would consider rugby switch

Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr has raised eyebrows with comments about quitting the NRL to play rugby union, and also taken a subtle jab at the lack of football he gets in rugby league.

Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr has revealed he would “100 per cent” consider defecting to rugby union if the rival code came knocking with an offer to make the switch.

Speaking on the ‘Let’s Trot’ podcast, Addo-Carr said he would gladly follow in the footsteps of former NRL wingers Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Matt Rogers by jumping ship to the Wallabies.

“Yeah, I reckon I’d carve up,” Addo-Carr said.

“100 per cent (I’d make the switch). I reckon it would be fun. Meeting new people, travelling the world. I’d give it a crack, bro. Yeah, why not?”

Podcast host Josh Mansour then asked Addo-Carr whether the winger would be ‘bored’ playing rugby union considering wingers rarely get attacking opportunities and make “eight to 10 runs” compared to 15 runs a game in the NRL.

“I think I get that only now,” Addo-Carr said.

Josh Addo-Carr said he would be open to a rugby switch. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

While light heartened, Addo-Carr’s response could be seen as a jab at Canterbury, where his potential to make an impact has been stunted by lack of quality ball and low involvement.

Addo-Carr’s average possessions dropped from 17.3 per game to 15.6 this season, while his runs were also down (11.7 to 10.1), according to Fox Sports Lab stats.

Addo-Carr was rumoured to be on the outer at Canterbury after drawing the ire of club officials following his involvement in a brawl at the Koori Knockout, and a social media post linking the Middle East conflict to Indigenous land rights.

A meeting between Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is believed to have quelled the prospect of Addo-Carr asking for a release from the final two years of his Canterbury deal.

But rumours still persist that the 28-year old’s future at the club remains uncertain.

A number of clubs are monitoring the Addo-Carr situation. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Already, a number of NRL rivals, including Newcastle and Parramatta, have expressed an interest in Addo-Carr if an immediate move from Belmore could be secured.

The Knights see Addo-Carr as a potential replacement for Dominic Young, who has joined the Sydney Roosters, while the Eels have made no secret of their desire to add pace and an x-factor to their outside back stocks.

St George Illawarra and the Wests Tigers are also believed to be monitoring Addo-Carr’s situation.

Addo-Carr’s latest comments have now opened the door Rugby Australia to join the hunt for his services, having already forked out $4.8 million to poach Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii from 2025.

Last month, the NRL hit Addo-Carr with a two-game ban, which was served during Australia’s Pacific Championship Tests, and a $5000 fine, over the Koori Knockout incident.

Despite the scandal, Addo-Carr said he would continue to take part in the tournament and lace-up the boots to play park football.

“I will never give that up, bro,” Addo-Carr said.

“I (also) played for Lapa (La Perouse United), just weekend footy. I went to Matraville Sports High and all my best mates play for Lapa. I never played for Lapa in the knockout.

“I’ve played in a couple of teams, just to give up to the mob.”

For now, Addo-Carr said he is focused on getting a pre-season under his belt, hoping to build a formidable edge combination with star recruit and centre Stephen Crichton.

The three-time Panthers premiership winner was spotted keeping an eye on pre-season training this week, before officially returning in mid-December.

“He knows the defensive systems that Ciro (Ciraldo) has come up with, so he’ll be good for myself and the younger boys at the club,” Addo-Carr said.

“When I played for the Blues with Critta (Crichton), I really liked our little combination there. I just think how he prepares (for a match), all the little stuff that people don’t see.

“He loves his stretching and his eating (habits). He’s just so confident in what he does and what he does on the training paddock. I’m just super excited to have his energy around the joint.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr would consider rugby switch