He will be one of Bennett’s major signings alongside English halfback Lewis Dodd, Dolphins forwards Euan Aitken and Lachlan Hubner as well as Manly half Jamie Humphreys.
Schuster has played 50 NRL matches since debuting in 2020 as a teenager, hailed as one of the most exciting talents in the game.
But he’s struggled to stay on the park and has grappled with the emotional toll of his best mate Keith Titmuss dying after a pre-season training session with Manly in 2020.
Schuster appeared as a witness during the coronial inquest into Titmuss’ death, which found the rising forward suffered from exertional heat stroke after an “inappropriate” training session for someone of his size and aerobic capacity.
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But Schuster will be one of the most intriguing storylines of 2025 as he joins a star-studded roster including Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton and Campbell Graham.
“We think a comeback to the NRL with our club will be just what Josh needs to get his career back on track,” South Sydney head of football Mark Ellison said.
“We’re confident that he can use this second opportunity at NRL level, at a new club with new coaches, new teammates and renewed expectations, to resume his NRL career and achieve his and the team’s goals.”
NRL agrees to split cost with Cowboys for finals trip to Sydney
The NRL will split travel costs with the North Queensland Cowboys, after the club were unable to secure flights to Sydney for Friday’s elimination final against the Sharks.
North Queensland fans rushed to book tickets to Sydney after the Cowboys’ win against the Knights last weekend, but the NRL hadn’t put tickets on hold for the only two non-stop flights out of Townsville on Thursday.
The Cowboys after their win against the Knights last weekend.Credit: Getty Images
The NRL has since agreed to help cover the cost for a charter flight to and from Townsville, with the Cowboys also agreeing to chip in for their must-win trip to Sydney.
The NRL came to the rescue of Newcastle last weekend, after the last-minute finals scheduling left them facing the long trek up north with less than a week turnaround. The Knights travelled courtesy of the NRL two days before their match.
The Cowboys are planning to arrive in Sydney on Thursday, ahead of their clash against Cronulla on Friday night. The winner of that match will play the Panthers in the preliminary final the following weekend.
The second elimination match of the weekend will also be at Allianz Stadium, when the Roosters go head-to-head with Manly, with the winner of that game to play the Storm in Melbourne for a spot in the grand final.
‘Sick and tired of hearing that’: Question that prompted curt reply from Tedesco
A fired-up James Tedesco has rejected the suggestion that the looming departures of a host of key players makes 2024 a crucial year for the Roosters, and remains convinced his team still has what it takes to be premiership contenders despite long-term injuries suffered by Sam Walker and Brandon Smith.
Speaking three days after the Roosters lost 30–10 to the Panthers in week one of the NRL finals, and ahead of their must-win clash against Manly on Saturday, Tedesco said the club expected success this season and in 2025, when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Joseph Suaalii will have moved on.
“Not more [crucial] than usual. Every year is important, so we expect to be successful every year,” Tedesco said.
“We have a great opportunity with the players we have at the moment. It’s not easy to win a grand final or make it to a grand final, so it’s on us to make the most of that opportunity. It wasn’t ideal on the weekend, but that’s why top four gives us a second chance.”
The Roosters have been among the premiership favourites and have their best opportunity to lift the trophy since 2019.
But when asked if their hopes had faded due to injuries to Smith, Walker and Victor Radley, Tedesco was curt.
“No,” he said.
James Tedesco speaks to the media ahead of his team’s elimination final against Manly. Credit: Wolter Peeters
Pushed to explain why not, Tedesco said: “Because you aren’t in the four walls. Honestly, [I] get sick and tired of hearing that from you guys. That’s all you talk about … Just every time I do media you talk about it … we have to answer those questions, it’s all part of it.”
Tedesco said the team was motivated to give their departing players a premiership-winning send-off, but acknowledged it wouldn’t be easy.
“That sort of sits in the back of our [our minds as] motivation I guess, but at the end of the day, it’s not going to help us win games,” he said.
“It’s a bit of motivation for us that we know we’re not going to get these opportunities to play with these guys again. It’s hard to win a premiership, we have a great opportunity with the guys we have here in the moment, and it’s a bit of a setback for us on the weekend, but it’s not the end of the trail, for sure.”
Playmaker Luke Keary is leaving at the end of the 2024 season.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Departing playmaker Luke Keary was more diplomatic when asked about the Roosters’ performance against Penrith.
“There are a lot of things being said which is part and parcel this time of year, but personally, I don’t buy into it too much,” Keary said.
“I think a few boys are frustrated here today, obviously really disappointed in just the way we missed that start of that game [against the Panthers].
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“This time of year is all about the team. None of us have spoken about it [players leaving]. There are a few of us leaving.
“The back end of the regular season we acknowledged it, you have a little bit of think about it. But now it’s like, you work so hard to get your team into this position, let’s try and make a run at it.”
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