Josh Schuster’s move to the Rabbitohs is one of the more interesting of the year, but the utility’s future in the sport is still relatively clouded.
The 23-year-old was once the game’s hottest young prospect and appeared destined to play five-eighth for the Sea Eagles long-term.
However, after a string of fitness and injury woes, Schuster was released by Manly and has now landed at South Sydney, earning a lifeline from coach Wayne Bennett.
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But whether that lifeline turns into something greater remains to be seen according to Phil Gould, who still has doubts over the Samoan international’s long-term future.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, the rugby league expert raised concerns over Schuster’s off-field battles and whether football is the right path for him.
”I hope for his own personal development and his life that he does,” Gould said.
“Josh has had some challenges in life and I don’t know whether football has been an asset or a hindrance to him. He needs to work out whether football is a solution and passion for him or not and whether he wants to actually do it.
“If you know Josh’s past, that’s not an easy question to answer.
“He plays football because he is talented, but whether he needs football is another question and that’s a conversation you can only have with him.
“There’s no doubting his talent and if he’s looking for a mentor in life, Wayne Bennett is obviously someone who can help him.
“I hope he gets fit and well, enjoys his rugby league and finds a passion for it, because it will be important for his development as a man into the future.
“He’s not there to save the Rabbitohs – they are there to save him.”
Schuster isn’t expected to feature in the first grade side to start the season, but looms as a genuine X-factor for the Bunnies if he can live up to his enormous potential.
He was absent from the club’s first pre-season trial game and was/wasn’t named in the squad for the Charity Shield against the Dragons this weekend.