'I've still got a stone unturned': Wallabies star open to NRL return

Rugby Australia (RA) could be set to lose a cross-code star back to rugby league after Wallabies star Tom Wright suggested he may return to the NRL at some point in the future.

Speaking to former Manly Sea Eagles forward Justin Horo on his podcast, The Scope with Justin Horo, Wright said he’s “still got a stone unturned” in his rugby league career and would be open to exploring an NRL comeback.

“The whole Brumbies thing genuinely didn’t come up until post season (2018).” Wright said.

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 14

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 14

“The season was fully done mad Monday finished, but I feel like I’ve still got a stone unturned. If I was to get an opportunity to go back or whatever you know I’d feel like I’d be able to sort of pounce at the opportunity again.”

After making his five appearances in his debut NRL season with the Manly Sea Eagles in 2018, Wright jumped codes to sign with the Brumbies the following season before going on to make his Wallabies debut last year.

Since then, the 24-year-old wing has established himself as a frontline Wallaby, having played a total of 10 tests in the space of a year.

However, he told Horo that a move back to rugby league isn’t off the cards, although a switch back to the NRL may not come until after the next World Cup given Wright is signed on with the Brumbies and RA until 2023.

Wright’s comments come during the same week that reports linked Reds star Suliasi Vunivalu to an NRL return midway through his two-year deal with the Queensland franchise.

A two-time NRL Premiership winner with the Melbourne Storm, Vunivalu was restricted to seven outings with the Reds this year due to injuries and off-field issues, but still managed five tries throughout Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.