Luke Keary considering switch to rugby union as NRL offers dry up

LUKE Keary is considering a cross-code defection with rugby’s Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs ready to issue a lifeline to the out-of-favour Souths playmaker.

Luke Keary’s negotiations with Souths have stalled.

LUKE Keary is considering a cross-code defection with rugby’s Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs ready to issue a lifeline to the out-of-favour Souths playmaker.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the embattled Reds are one of three Super Rugby provinces to have expressed interest in Keary as he fights to save his career in the NRL.

Just two years ago, Keary was one of the code’s most promising emerging playmakers after playing a key role in Souths’ surge to their first premiership win in 43 years.

But on the eve of Souths’ clash with Parramatta tomorrow night, Keary is on the outer at Redfern after being axed to the bench to accommodate Greg Inglis’ shift to five-eighth.

Souths coach Michael Maguire last night confirmed the club had put talks on hold with Keary. With the 24-year-old having no big-money offers from NRL rivals, a switch to the 15-a-side code looms as a genuine option.

That has opened the door for Queensland rugby.

The Reds last month signed Broncos prodigy Caleb Timu and their interest in NRL talent dates back to 2013, when they unsuccessfully attempted to poach Anthony Milford from the Raiders.

Well-placed sources say Keary will not be at Souths next season and Maguire said he was aware of rugby’s interest in the premiership-winning pivot.

“I have heard rugby union are looking at him so it’s an interesting one,” Maguire said.

“We’ve currently put things on pause with Luke until we work through our salary cap.

“Luke is trying to get his form back and play some good footy ... We’re looking to see if there is an opportunity moving forward with Luke.”

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Keary’s future could ultimately be decided by the financial strength of rugby’s offers.

The typical Australian-based Super Rugby player earns about $220,000 a season, a salary that would not be palatable to Keary unless he received a top-up from the Australian Rugby Union.

The former Titans under-20s player has been asking for about $600,000 annually in the NRL but his drop in form is not helping his market value.

Keary, who would be a halfback or flyhalf at the Reds, has a background in rugby union. He played for the Australian Schoolboys during his high school years at Oakhill College and had a seven-week stint at the NSW Waratahs Academy before returning to rugby league.

Reds executive general manager Daniel Herbert declined to discuss Keary, saying last night: “We don’t like to comment about recruitment.”

Keary represented the Australian Schoolboys rugby side in his youth.

Maguire said Keary had accepted his demotion and explained why he handed Inglis the No.6.

“I just want to see Greg get some more opportunities with the ball,” he said.

“I want to see him get us up and about, he is very excited about having the opportunity to play there.

“He can still play like a sweeping-type fullback where he goes side to side. He will still have a running role wider off the ruck but this allows Greg to get closer and see some more action.

“Luke was very professional about it, he’s a good kid.

“I went through it with him and he understands why I made the call, he’s working hard to put in his best performances.”

Originally published as Luke Keary considering switch to rugby union as NRL offers dry up