Josh Schuster (born 5 May 2001) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who last played as a second-row forward or five-eighth for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Josh Schuster
Personal information
Full nameJoshua Schuster
Born (2001-05-05) 5 May 2001 (age 23)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–23 Manly Sea Eagles 50 5 0 0 20
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022 Samoa 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 18 August 2023

Background edit

Schuster was born in Sydney, Australia to Australian parents of Samoan and German descent. Schuster's grandfather David and great-uncle Peter both represented Samoa in rugby union,[2] while another great-uncle, John, represented New Zealand in rugby union and Samoa in rugby league.[3] His uncle Peter represented Australia in rugby sevens.[2]

He played junior rugby league for the Mount Pritchard Mounties.

Career edit

2020 edit

Schuster made his NRL debut in round 17 of the 2020 NRL season for Manly-Warringah against the Wests Tigers; in a 34–32 loss at Brookvale Oval in an NRL game.[4]

2021 edit

In round 5 of the 2021 NRL season, Schuster scored his first try in the NRL in Manly-Warringah's 13–12 win over the New Zealand Warriors. Schuster played 21 games for Manly in the 2021 NRL season including the club's preliminary final loss against South Sydney.[5]

2022 edit

On 9 February, it was announced that Schuster would be ruled out indefinitely from playing after sustaining an ankle injury at pre-season training.[6] He made 13 appearances for Manly in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table and miss out on the finals.[7] Schuster was one of seven players involved in the Manly pride jersey player boycott.[8]

2023 edit

On 4 July, Schuster signed a three-year contract extension to remain at Manly until the end of the 2027 season.[9]

Schuster was demoted to reserve grade for the second time in the 2023 NRL season after a lacklustre performance against the New Zealand Warriors in round 25.[10] Schuster played 15 matches for Manly in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals.[11]

2024 edit

On 10 April, it was announced that Schuster had been told by Manly officials he was free to negotiate with other clubs despite the player being contracted to Manly until the end of 2027.[12] On 24 April just 14 days after being told he was free to negotiate the Manly club mutually agreed and released Schuster from the remainder of his contract.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ a b Cousins, Wayne (20 June 2022). "'We've done it, brother': Schuster to honour Titmus in Pacific Test". seaeagles.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  3. ^ "'NRL's next superstar': Ex-All Black John Schuster's nephew, Josh, heaped with praise ahead of likely debut". Stuff.co.nz. 3 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Round 17 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 25 August 2020.
  5. ^ "GLORY, GLORY: Souths march into the GF as Wayne masterminds Manly mauling". www.foxsports.com.au. 24 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Double Dogs blow as star enforcer out for the season; Bronco set for sideline stint: NRL Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au. 29 March 2022.
  7. ^ "NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review". www.sportingnews.com. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Seven Manly players to boycott NRL match over pride jersey". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  9. ^ "2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Bulldogs snare Sexton; Schuster staying put". www.nrl.com. 13 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Sea Eagles sack Josh Schuster". www.fox sports.com.au. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ^ "The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
  12. ^ "'Ain't going': Fittler reveals huge issue with Manly's marching orders for exiled gun Josh Schuster". wwos.nine.com.au.
  13. ^ "Sea Eagles release Josh Schuster". Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

External links edit