Schuster's No.6 bid paying off after World Cup sacrifice

Sea Eagles young gun Josh Schuster has used his time off to shed weight, detailing how his decision to miss the World Cup will help set up his 2023 season as he prepares to replace Kieran Foran.

Schuster noted he finished Manly’s disappointing 2022 campaign “around 120 kilos” after he endured a disruptive personal year that included calf and ankle injuries.

A playmaker all through his juniors, Schuster beefed up under former Manly coach Des Hasler to play in the forwards after Foran made a return to the club.

However, the veteran’s move to the Titans has Schuster primed to take the No.6 jersey, a role he’s been chasing on a permanent basis since coming into first grade in 2020.

“There was a lot of outside talk of me not being happy not playing five-eighth,” Schuster said.

“[But] I’ve always had a big passion for the game and playing NRL, no matter what position you play, is the dream. I was never unhappy.

“Learning under Fozzy was unreal, he’s the ultimate competitor. Playing next to him was the best experience.”

Schuster has been training every day while on annual leave and has dropped over 10 kilos to get back to a weight suited to the halves.

It was a sacrifice that the 21-year-old, who stole the show on debut for Samoa in the Pacific Test match in May, needed to make in a bid to make the most of his opportunity next season.

“I chose to skip the World Cup for Samoa to get my body right for Manly,” he said.

“This year wasn’t up to scratch with my performances. I was already behind the eight-ball and playing catch-up [due to injury].  

“I finished the season at around 120 kilos and the weight I want to be is 105. Currently, I’m 107 so got two kilos left and the pre-season is around the corner.”

Schuster will be among those to return to pre-season training in November while the likes of halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans won’t be back until January at the latest.

“I’m counting down the days until the 2023 season and am hungrier than ever,” he said.

“I started here since I was 14 and been through the juniors ... the jersey means the world to me.

“The fact that all the boys I grew up with in the juniors want to work hard as well.

“I want to be a leader for those boys. To see them working hard too is very pleasing.”