NRL young gun Josh Schuster is considering skipping the Rugby League World Cup to focus on cementing a Manly spot for next season.
Schuster would be a certain selection for Samoa at the international event, which will be held in England over October and November.
But Nine’s Danny Weidler reports the 21-year-old “knows a full off-season would benefit him as he aims to be Manly’s starting five-eighth”.
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It’s a significant sacrifice for him given how emotional he was on Samoa debut earlier this year, openly crying during the national anthem.
Schuster has been spectacularly dropped by the Sea Eagles this week for Friday’s grudge clash with Parramatta.
Last week he missed the game against the Roosters, being one of seven first-grade regulars who refused to wear a rainbow-adorned jersey to celebration diversity and inclusiveness.
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Reports this year suggest Schuster and his management are unhappy with the Sea Eagles for failing to hand him the No.6 jumper he cherishes.
The late-career revival of Kieran Foran has kept it away from Schuster, who has been forced to play in the backrow or off the bench, or not at all.
But Foran is leaving Brookvale to head to the Gold Coast next season, opening the door for someone else to play five-eighth for the famous northern Sydney club.
And Schuster wants to be that man, so much so he’s willing to forgo a Samoan World Cup tilt.
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