‘They’ve got that bang’: The NRL star Aaron Smith would ‘hate’ to see in rugby
Rugby Australia pulled off a major coup earlier this year by signing Sydney Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii on a lucrative deal, and other NRL stars could follow.
If RA get their way, Suaalii might not be the only league star to jump codes.
As reported by The Australian last month, some of the biggest names in rugby league have been included in a list of “definite” targets.
New South Wales and Australia representatives Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas have been linked with sensational moves to rugby union, and they aren’t the only ones either.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has, on a number of occasions, expressed his interest in acquiring the services of South Sydney Rabbitohs enforcer Cameron Murray.
In an interview on SEN’s Mornings with Matt White, Jones said the Origin star would “be a fantastic 12 in rugby” – and clearly, an All Black agrees.
Veteran halfback Aaron Smith said he would “hate” to see Cameron Murray play for the Wallabies.
“I’d hate to see Cam Murray at 12,” Smith said on The Ice Project. “He’d be a gun.
“Cam Murray, his schoolboy highlights are pretty gangster and (Roosters forward Angus) Crichton is the same, big centres, ball runners, offload, stay in the play for the whole time.
“They’re your workhorses but they’ve got that bang, that’s what you want your midfield to be.”
In response to Jones’ comments, Murray told reporters earlier this year he would “contemplate and consider” a move to rugby union once his contract with the Rabbitohs runs out.
As for Origin teammate Payne Haas, the star forward is reportedly “seriously” considering a move to the 15-player game.
Haas is widely considered to be the best forward in rugby league, and is certainly one of the key players at the Brisbane Broncos.
“Payne Haas, him at six or eight,” Smith added.
“You can’t not respect their ball carrying ability and as I said earlier, if you can win the gain line, you’re gonna win the next play.”
Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona was also linked with a move to rugby union, but recently inked a contract extension with the traditional NRL powerhouse.
While the Storm have secured the services of one of the most destructive ball-runners in the game, Smith believes two of Asofa-Solomona’s teammates could succeed in rugby.
“I reckon Harry Grant would be the man to be honest at nine, and he would just destroy it because he’s so fast and strong.
“Harry Grant at nine and (Cameron) Munster for me at fullback would just be, in rugby, a gun.
“I think his talent and gifts and vision, because that’s what rugby has it’s so structured defensively, the guys that you don’t know what they’re going to do, it’s just so hard to mark (them).
“His wiggles and his goosies and his offloads and how hard he is and doesn’t give up, they’re the players you want in rugby. Munny Munster, he’d be a freak.”
Comments on RugbyPass
1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to comments