Three years ago, South Sydney captain Cameron Murray admitted he got sick of being linked to a code switch to rugby. Now, the NSW and Australia star admits it’s a distinct possibility.
“It would be awesome to travel [as a rugby player] and soak up the atmosphere of what’s being tossed up,” he said.
The 28-year-old’s comments came after being asked whether Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand in Brisbane could be his last Test for Australia.
Murray is contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2028 season.
The hard-working backrower has long been viewed as a player who could switch codes, having starred for Australia’s schoolboys side and captained the Newington College 1st XV.
Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones made no secret of his desire to one day lure Murray to rugby, saying in 2023 he would “be a fantastic” player.
Murray will keep an eye on how another former State of Origin and Kangaroos star returns to rugby in 2027, when Angus Crichton joins the Waratahs in a bid to play for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup. Crichton, 30, visited the Wallabies last week in London as he recovers from a foot injury.
Murray, who would have no trouble finding interested suitors overseas and could sign with a Super Rugby side ahead of the 2031 World Cup, insisted that Crichton successfully transitioning back to rugby wouldn’t influence his decision.
“I’ll watch closely his career because he’s a good mate and I want to see him do well,” Murray said.
“I always support the leaguies that are making the change. So, that’s probably the main reason. But it’s always in the back of my mind, and I’ve always maintained the fact that it would be something I would look at later on in my career.”
Murray’s work-rate, speed and link play make him one of the most effective forwards in the game. But given the next Rugby League World Cup will be in 2030, it’s possible the Kangaroos could move in a new direction after this week’s final. Not that Murray is about to give up his jersey.
“If I’m still fit and feel like I’ve got something to give for the jersey, it’s such a privilege and honour for me to play for my country,” he said.
Murray added he still had goals in rugby league, with a premiership with South Sydney firmly on his radar.
“I’ve got two years left on my contract, so it’s not really the time to start looking elsewhere, but it’s always a possibility and potential,” he said.
Murray has an important role in Sunday’s Test against the formidable Kiwis pack.
New Zealand coach Stacey Jones will be hoping his spine can capitalise on the forward momentum they hope to get against the Kangaroos. They failed to put their rivals away during the tournament opener, when Australia’s outside backs read the Kiwis’ halves like a book and ran away for two intercept tries in the 24-22 win in Sydney.
Murray said there were plenty of lessons out of that narrow win.
“We’re going to have to be better than we were the first game,” the mobile forward said.
“The more defending we do, the harder it is to win that fatigue and field position battle in the middle.
“We probably have to be a little bit smarter than just going one out off the ruck. They’re big and we’ve got to play to our strengths with a mobile pack.”
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