Wallabies fans might see Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray in a green and gold jersey, but not until 2025.
The South Sydney captain has already won two State of Origin series and a World Cup in the 13-man game despite only being 25, but it was in rugby union that he really turned heads as a junior.
Whenever contract talks escalate, or union zealots speculate about who could change the codes and save the day like Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams once did, Murray’s name is one of the first to be mentioned.
So it came as no surprise that the brilliant second rower emerged when incoming Wallabies manager Eddie Jones declared that he wanted rugby union to grab some of the best talent the NRL has to offer.
Could we be seeing Cameron Murray in a Wallabies jersey (digitally altered image, left)? The answer is yes, but the Rabbitohs captain is under contract until the end of 2024 and probably won’t consider a trade until then.
New Wallabies manager Eddie Jones has made it known that he is interested in attracting former NRL rugby union juniors.
When the worst kept secret in Australian rugby union finally came to light and Jones was announced as manager Dave Rennie’s sacked replacement, he said he was determined to restore the union to its glory days when he last led the Wallabies. they won a Bledisloe. Cup in 2002.
He was keen to point out that his number one priority was developing those already in the code and their point guards, but the man who loves having both players and coaching staff with experience in elite rugby league made it clear which had some NRL stars. the eye on him.
‘No. 2 [priority] is to bring back players who were initially lost from rugby to rugby league due to the financial incentives the league can give players. We want to recover the players that have been lost,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald in January.
“I am sure that the charm of playing in a Rugby World Cup at home [in 2027] it could be something to lure them back.
And which player’s contract ends just in time to prepare for said World Cup? Well, that would be Murray, whose lucrative deal with the Rabbitohs expires in 2025, and has left the door wide open to return.
“I’m contracted for three years, that’s where my focus is, and beyond that, it’s time to think about my future,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If the time comes and I’m out of contract, and I’m negotiating my future, I’ll think about it then. I loved school rugby. I’ll still watch the big international matches, but I don’t want a lot of sport at all.
Cameron Murray celebrates a try as Australia beat Samoa in last year’s World Cup final
Murray also won two State of Origin series with the Blues despite being only 25 years old.
Murray passes the ball while playing inside center for the Newington College First XV in 2015
It is well known that Murray captained one of the most prestigious schools in New South Wales, and the famous rugby union nursery, Newington College, when they won the 2015 GPS Championship.
Outside him, on the wing at that star-studded back line, was current Eels star Bailey Simonsson.
The tough-as-nails second rower from Sydney’s blue-collar southern suburbs has always played well above his weight, taking to the field in both league (Mascot Jets) and union (Coogee Blacks) days in his junior.
Murray, who played center back in the union, has the perfect blend of toughness, ball skills and stout defense to adapt quickly to the 15-man game, and Souths team-mate Lachlan Ilias strongly believes he could thrive.
“Eddie is trying to target the best players in the league, Cam is one of those players, and he could play in any position in rugby except striker… whatever sport he plays, he’s good,” he said. the young half, who also played. in the GPS rugby competition while at school.
The fact that Murray made significantly fewer tackles per game in union also lowered his chances of a concussion, something that has sadly plagued him on a few occasions in recent years.
Cameron Murray has suffered a series of serious concussions in recent years and a move to the union would mean he would be put in vulnerable positions less often.
A rugby prodigy at school (left), Roosters superstar Joseph Sua’ali’i will be another high-profile target for Jones
Of course, he’s not the only target for Jones, who recently added ex-Eels and Tigers great Brett Hodgson to his coaching staff.
Roosters star Joseph Sua’ali’i was one of rugby’s best prospects in a generation when he stunned world no. 15 for the ultra-prestigious The Kings School, playing alongside brilliant Eels center Will Penisini.
Like Murray, Sua’ali’i won’t be joining the Wallabies in the immediate present either, after taking a 2024 option with the Chooks, again, leaving the door open for a return to a code in which he excelled immensely.
It’s a long list of successes for Jones, but Murray and Sua’ali’i will be there at the top in 2025.