Eddie Jones’ foray into rugby league is far from over, with three absolute superstars on his radar, and an out of shape eel even served to him on a platter.
In the wake of Rooster’s prodigy Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s shock defection to rugby union, the chatter hasn’t stopped about what other NRL stars will follow him to the 15-man code.
That was led by the NRL-loving Jones, who said when he signed on as Wallabies coach in January that his second biggest priority was to ‘recruit back the guys who were in rugby and going into the league’.
Suaalii’s teammate as a union player at the prestigious Kings private school, Will Penisini, has often been thrown up as a possibility; as well as those with similar experience in Sydney’s elite school system such as Souths skipper Cameron Murray and Rooster Angus Crichton.
But there are also some more left-wing candidates Jones is reportedly eyeing ahead of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of a series against the British and Irish Lions in 2024 and a World Cup at home in 2025.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is a huge fan of rugby league, and having already convinced star Joseph Suaalii to change codes, he reportedly has a hit list of other NRL players he’d like to convince back to Union
Jones is reportedly a huge fan of Bulldogs star Matt Burton and his deadly left leg
Nathan Cleary’s skill in all three offensive facets of the game – running, kicking and passing – could make him a perfect fit in the flyhalf. The Panthers star was a huge fan of legendary All Blacks No. 10 Dan Carter
‘(Eddie Jones’) Second favorite league player is Nathan Cleary; of course he would be a great no. 10,” veteran journalist Danny Weidler continued Channel 9 is 100% footy.
‘And Nathan recently said on 9 News that he’s a little interested in rugby, he grew up admiring (All Blacks legend) Daniel Carter.’
NSW legend Paul Gallen said he could picture the Panthers’ superstar halfback, growing up in rugby-mad New Zealand when his father coached and played with the Warriors.
“Nathan Cleary has won two premierships at the age of 23, 24, and he’d be the one who’s on track, you’d think, if the money was right, he’d go to the union,” he said.
But that didn’t go down well with footy supremo Phil ‘Gus’ Gould, who exploded at the suggestion that the 2021 Clive Churchill medalist switch to the union.
Phil Gould said he would fly to the moon if Nathan Cleary eventually switched to rugby union (pictured right with Blues teammate Tom Trbojevic during the 2021 State of Origin series)
Burton (right, pictured with Dogs teammate Josh Addo-Carr) would be a ‘smash hit’ in rugby union according to Eddie Jones
“Are you on drugs?” the Bulldogs’ general manager of football asked his fellow panelists.
‘If Nathan Cleary starts playing rugby, I’ll fly to the moon.
“Nathan Cleary will break all the points records ever in rugby league, and he will still be playing at 35. And those records will never be broken.”
While admitting that Gould had “tied up his in-form five-eighth Matt Burton in the long run”, Weidler also revealed that Jones had told him the man with the giant left bomb would be a “smash hit in rugby union” .
Surprisingly, a horribly out of shape Eels player, the much-maligned Waqa Blake, may not be a target himself; but he is reportedly keen to make the move given the abysmal state of Parramatta’s back-line and needs to top it up.
Eels center Will Penisini (right) will be targeted by Jones after a successful union junior career, but out-of-form teammate Waqa Blake (centre) has reportedly raised the idea of switching code through his management
“I don’t know if Waqa Blake is necessarily on that[Jones’]hit list, or if he’s a player Eddie will necessarily go for, but he’s been offered to Eddie Jones and rugby union,” Weidler said.
“There has been a lot of talk about his future at Parramatta and Parramatta are looking for X factor players, moving Clint Gutherson to the centers as the centers are not strong.
“Well, it looks like Waqa Blake may be reading that information and his management has reached out to Eddie Jones.”
Murray, who played at center back at school, is clearly a big priority for Jones, but unlike Suaalii he is under contract until the end of 2024 – and you won’t see the Wallabies mentor pressuring anyone to buy a club while he is is under contract.
Could we see Rabbitohs star Cameron Murray in a Wallabies jersey in the future? He is reportedly the favorite NRL player of league aficionado Eddie Jones
Murray guided Newington to a GPS premiership from center as junior rugby union before signing for Souths
That said, Weidler revealed that Jones had told him that Cameron Murray, who captained famed rugby union nursery Newington College to a GPS victory in his school days, was his favorite rugby league player.
“(Jones) loves Cameron Murray but he said he wouldn’t despise Cameron Murray enough to try to get him out of a contract or trick him into breaking a contract, but he’s his favorite player in rugby league,” said he.
For his part, Murray left the door ajar last month saying he would focus on the Rabbitohs for the next two seasons, but did not rule out a switch.
With the World Cup at home towards the end of 2025, will one year be enough time for Murray to get used to rugby union again?
You’d think Jones thinks it would be.