Dual-international Karmichael Hunt says South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray would make a handy No.7 in rugby union and has thrown his weight behind Wallabies coach Eddie Jones’ targeting of top-end NRL talent.
Former Kangaroos and Wallabies star Hunt, who also played AFL for Gold Coast, is of the view that Sydney Roosters prodigy Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is more likely to make the switch as part of Jones’ bid to return the Wallabies to No.1 in world rugby.
Suaalii has signed with the Tricolours until the end of 2024, while Murray – a schoolboy rugby star at Newington College – is on contract until the end of 2025 at the Rabbitohs but has said he would be prepared to talk to Jones after that.
“Without knowing Cameron personally, I am sure he is going to keep his options open as every smart player would do,” Hunt told AAP.
“But as a captain of a great club, a Test player … I would be surprised if he goes across.
“I will definitely be keen to watch if he does.”
Murray has been talked about as an option in the centres for the Wallabies, but Hunt said the 25-year-old’s talents may lie in a different direction.
“He would make a good No.7,” Hunt said.
“I know he is as tough as (long-time Wallabies flanker) Michael Hooper. I have played with Hooper and I know one thing Cameron would probably do well is chase a breakdown and put his head over and try and get a pilfer.”
Suaalii was a gun fullback for The King’s School first XV and by signing one-year extensions in the NRL has given himself scope to make a code switch should he wish.
With Roosters captain James Tedesco this week signing a one-year extension until the end of 2025, Suaalii’s desire to play fullback in the NRL has been put on hold.
“He is playing that card absolutely and keeping his options open,” Hunt said.
“If I was a betting man, he is a more genuine option to go back to rugby at some stage than Cameron Murray is.
“In saying that, maybe he is playing his cards smartly and waiting for the Roosters to make a decision on Tedesco down the track.”
Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Parramatta’s Will Penisini are also on Jones’ hit-list as potential targets.
Jones has been derided by NRL administrators, and even player agents, for his public push to chase rugby league talent, but Hunt said the coach’s vision on recruitment was spot on.
“Any organisation or company wants a bullish CEO or a bullish head coach to go from a lower position to a higher position,” he said.
“Eddie is doing what he believes needs to be done. I like it. I admire it.
“It is quite easy to have a hit-list. It is just about whether you can land those targets.”
Don
Roar Rookie
Agree TWAS. He was a big hard and straight running centre as a kid in rugby coming from league. They are actually pretty common. If h was to cross to Rugby he's be a slow centre with an average left side pass, who cent't kick but is a good defender. ' And I am an advocate for RA to selectively pick off players from the NRL.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
This whole thread is a very strange conversation to come across. Not what I expected to see below this article...
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
All the time the editorial standards drop.
Tony Harper
Editor
Thanks for the feedback Ray, the sookiness just keeps on coming hey
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Nothing sooky about it, if an editor can’t control himself and starts taking potshots at those who read the site, maybe it’s time to give the game away.
Riggers
Roar Rookie
Go Tony. This is great. It’s a great read with Eddie stirring the pot. He hasn’t poached anyone and every talks about cause they know he’s kicking up interest
Tony Harper
Editor
Your feedback is appreciated RayinSydney, albeit a tad on the sooky side itself
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Not at all. Like it or not he is bringing rugby onto the sports pages in the dailies, something rugby hasn't had in ages. I do disagree with his wanting league players but I thibnk it is only Edie speak. As they say any publicity is good.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
probably don't want to be calling your readership a 'sook' or 'champ'....sad look from an editor.
TPC
Guest
I'm thinking centres more than forwards. He has good hands and has played centres, albeit a while ago. To all the sooks that bemoan this sort of article, Eddie has put the game back in the papers and that can only be a good thing.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually Murray probably wouldn't. He'd be at best 2nd choice at 7, 12 or 13 actually. Other than outside backs there often isn't an immediate crossover in skills and it's some players who aren't the best in NRL would make better rugby players than some of the best NRL players
Adam
Roar Guru
The problem is the cost that would take to get those guys up to speed to the differences between the game. It’s not worth the cost when RA have more than 100 players already playing the game, who knows the rules and the specific skill sets.
Adam
Roar Guru
Didn't get enough sleep Tony?
KenW
Roar Rookie
The active recruiting has a different purpose though. Just got to look at Koroibete. His signing by RU was that 'warmly welcoming' one - admittedly he wasn't a genuine superstar in the NRL but he was a well-known player for a top team. On the field a hugely successful transition, one of the Wallabies best players, but it wasn't a publicity coup - the media attention was minimal and I don't think anyone would claim that he's drawn many extra eyeballs from NRL fans. But what if there had been a 6 month song and dance about RU trying to 'poach' him, and headline-grabbing big money offers being splashed about? Sometimes it's about the dance.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Murray would easily make it into the Wallabies, along with about 100 other NRL players. Tell us something we don't know Karmichael.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Jones is becoming a laughing stock, if he's not already.
Mo
Guest
Hi Tony I don’t want to do you and Christy out of lucrative consulting jobs but I’d be interested if you guys got together and wrote an article about how RA could run a PR plan. Their marketing seems very quiet but that aside you guys are PR pros be nice to see a professional opinion. I know a few guys are journos Lille late news and neutral from Sweden. No disrespect to Brett and Geoff but my take is that they’d be less technical
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Look, I’m a union man first. I’ve been waiting for a Bledisloe for 20 years. Before that I waited for a Cronulla premiership. I know what sucking feels like. What do they say? Any news is good news. And union is dying for it. This is all 90% hot air but it ends up making the news and has guys like you, me and Gus talking about it. If you’re not being talked about - no one cares. The Wallabies are trying to become relevant again. I don’t give them much these days but I’ll give them that. But could they please win the Bledisloe again?
Redcap
Roar Guru
Seems a very odd marketing strategy - we kinda suck so we're going to talk about another code incessantly even if it's quite obviously all wind and actually reflects poorly on us to anybody with half-functioning frontal lobe. Damn! There I go again - playing into this Jones's diabolical game. When will I learn? :happy:
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Marketing and eyeballs David. It’s all promotion. When’s the last time you have seen so many articles surrounding league and union? Eddie is a master at this sort of stuff. As far as the World Cup goes, league has nothing to do with it. Maybe in 2027 but I’d be surprised to see anyone who isn’t 20 and under come across. Cameron will be 29 by then and wouldn’t have played union for at least 10 years. Not feasible but it makes the news. And hey, it’s got both of us talking here which is what Eddie wants.