Andrew Johns reveals why Manly youngster tipped for stardom was DROPPED
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Andrew Johns reveals why Manly youngster tipped for stardom was DROPPED after boycotting game over club’s pride jersey – and it’s not because of the rainbow strip fiasco
- Andrew Johns has shared his thoughts on why Josh Schuster was dropped
- Schuster boycotted Manly’s defeat to the Roosters due to the rainbow jersey
- However, Johns says Schuster’s conditioning has let him down this season
- The Newcastle legend urged Schuster to live his life like a professional athlete
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When Des Hasler named Josh Schuster his 18th man for Manly’s Friday night clash with Parramatta, many fans and pundits opined that the decision may have been related to the youngster’s rainbow strip boycott.
Yet according to Andrew Johns, Schuster’s axing speaks to a deep-lying problem that has blighted the 20-year-old for most of 2022.
The Sea Eagles young gun was tipped to have a big season this year after enjoying a breakout campaign in 2021, becoming a key cog in the Manly machine as they reached the preliminary final.
Andrew Johns has explained why he thinks Josh Schuster was dropped by Manly on Friday
But attitude and application have stunted Schuster’s progress this year. Despite severely hampering his side by sitting out of the Roosters game due to his rainbow jersey stance, Newcastle legend Johns bluntly explained why the 20-year-old has fallen down the pecking order.
‘He’s not fit – he’s too big,’ Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
‘I think if you sat down Josh, he’d admit he’s too big. He came back from the off-season, by all accounts, put a lot of kilos on.’
Johns, a huge advocate of Schuster over the past year, but has now taken to the airwaves to express concern about the youngster’s fitness levels.
Schuster boycotted last week’s defeat by the Roosters due to the rainbow jersey
However, Johns suggests Schuster’s conditioning is behind his relegation to 18th man
Similarly, NSW coach Brad Fittler was also bemused by the back-rower’s conditioning.
‘Getting fit’s the easy part,’ added Fittler.
‘Especially now – you’re at training six hours a day.’
Johns issued a warning to the 20-year-old, insisting that in order to reach the very top of rugby league, a player needs to live every aspect of his life as a professional.
‘Being a pro doesn’t mean being a pro at training – it’s living it,’ Johns added.
‘What you eat, what you don’t eat, what you drink, what you don’t drink – getting your sleep, getting your life in order. Treating your body well, treating your injuries.’