Cameron Murray has admitted a switch to rugby union is “always in the back of my mind”, with the South Sydney captain asked whether Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand could be his last Test for the Kangaroos.
The 28-year-old backrower told The Sydney Morning Herald the travel that comes with rugby appealed to him, but stressed he still has goals in rugby league and remains contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2028 season.
“It would be awesome to travel [as a rugby player] and soak up the atmosphere of what’s being tossed up,” Murray said.
Crichton move on Murray’s radar
Murray said he would follow former Kangaroos and State of Origin teammate Angus Crichton’s return to rugby closely. Crichton joins the Waratahs in 2027 in a bid to play for the Wallabies at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Herald reported.
“I’ll watch closely his career because he’s a good mate and I want to see him do well,” Murray said.
Read more: Angus Crichton in Waratahs Squad as Foley, Phipps Return
“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 starred for Australia’s schoolboys side and captained the Newington College 1st XV, and former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said in 2023 he would “be a fantastic” player in rugby, according to the Herald.
Murray has spoken about the idea before, having previously told the UNSCRIPTED podcast that “later on, I definitely would” consider a code switch, as RugbyPass reported.
Kangaroos jersey still a priority
With the next Rugby League World Cup not until 2030, Murray made it clear he was not ready to give up his place in the Australian side.
“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.
He also said a premiership with South Sydney was still firmly on his list.
“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,” Murray said.
Read more: Sam Walker Open to Rugby Switch for Wallabies, Reports Say
Lessons from the tournament opener
Australia beat Samoa 44-12 in their semi-final in Sydney last Sunday to set up this Sunday’s decider against the Kiwis in Brisbane. The Kangaroos edged New Zealand 24-22 in Sydney in the tournament opener, and Murray said they would need to lift.
“We’re going to have to be better than we were the first game,” he 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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