Cameron Murray's eye-opening confession about switch to rugby union

Cameron Murray has played down fears he could be set to imminently sign with rugby union following Eddie Jones' snare of NRL prodigy Joseph Suaalii from the Roosters. New Wallabies coach Jones made a huge statement late last month when he was able to grab the signing of Sydney Roosters centre Suaalii to a three-year deal worth an estimated $1.6 million a year from 2025.

The moved sparked concerns within the NRL with one of the game's best talents agreeing to leave the code after his deal is up with the Roosters. Reports claim Jones isn't done and has his eyes on other players in the NRL that might have come from a rugby union background.

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Jones has repeatedly identified Murray, a former captain of Newington College's First XV, as high on his wishlist. Murray hasn't hid his intention that he would consider a rugby union stint in the future.

However, when the question was put to him over a potential code switch, Murray was emphatic when he claimed he always envisaged the move could be later in his career. "Money's never been a massive motivator for me," Murray said.

"My answer to that question (about switching codes) has always been the same and it's been that I wouldn't say no. But if I go, and that's a big if, it'll be much later on in my career. The motivator for me is what I've always envisioned myself doing in my career and I've ticked a lot of boxes off so far.

"All I've wanted to do was play for Souths and be successful here at the club and strive to win a premiership. I'm really hungry to do something like that and I think we've got a great opportunity."

Suaalii's code switch prompted a fiery response from some in the NRL community with Phil Gould calling for the youngster make the move now, rather than waiting to see out his contract.

This prompted Roosters coach Trent Robinson to hit back at Gould and claimed there was no need to fear rugby union and the NRL's talents.

Cameron Murray focused on Bulldogs clash

While there is speculation over offers for Murray, the No.13 is focused on the Rabbitoh's immediate form after a tough loss to the Storm last Friday night. The Rabbitohs went into the game as favourites against a hot-and-cold Storm outfit, but were outplayed.

And Murray claimed the team needed to start with more intensity, rather than feeling their way into the contest. "We're dipping in our toes a little bit in the first 10 or 15 minutes and not starting with the intensity and frontloading with the intensity that we need," he said.

"There are a lot of simple errors for us. And I guess just general effort area stuff like kick pressure, kick chase and stuff like that. It's all simple fixes and much easier said than done. But like I said, we're pretty optimistic."

The Rabbitohs lose Alex Johnston for the clash with Canterbury on Friday after the veteran winger was concussed against Melbourne. Headlining the replacement options is Taane Milne, who hasn't played since hitting Penrith's Spencer Leniu high in the 2022 preliminary final and earning a six-match suspension.

with AAP

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