Forgotten NRL player Josh Schuster has been handed a lifeline from the Wests Tigers, giving him a chance to revive his career.
The 25-year-old has been in the rugby league wilderness since parting ways with the Rabbitohs last year but Code Sports reports the Tigers have offered the former prodigy a train and trial deal.
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The report states Tigers forward Samuela Fainu urged the club to meet with Schuster, who will initially join on a NSW Cup deal.
Schuster previously signed a three-year deal with Manly worth more than $2 million but he struggled during his time at the Sea Eagles.
Schuster played 50 games for Manly before being released in 2024 and moving to the Rabbitohs last year before taking a break from rugby league for mental health reasons.
“I wasn’t mentally right and wasn’t in a good place. If your life is not good outside of footy, then it doesn’t work out on the field,” Schuster told James Graham’s The Bye Round in May.
“One of the factors [to return to the NRL] is to prove it to myself. The last couple of years, I was doing it for other people, trying to make other people happy, and putting other people before me.
”I can honestly say this is the happiest I’ve been in my own life, and just having a purpose in my life.”
Schuster said he had lost around 30kg and was determined to make it back to the NRL.
“I’m training so hard to get ready for a pre-season opportunity. My goal is to get back into the NRL for next year,” he said.
“I’m overtraining a bit, I need to relax but I’m so keen to get back and prove I can do it.
“I’ve done a lot of self reflection, a lot of character building the last few months and just realising how good I had it.
“Coming straight from high school into the NRL system and having everything thrown at me and not knowing anything else … Money, a free car from the club. I didn’t know what a 9-5 job.
“I was too comfortable from the moment I made my first grade debut and it went downhill (from there). I think everything started to fall down … I definitely lost myself.”
“I feel like our club can help him. It’s not all about returning to NRL, it’s just to get his life on track again,” Marshall said.
“He’s 97kg and he’s been working hard. So we’re going to give him an opportunity.”
Originally published as NRL club gives forgotten $2m man Josh Schuster shock lifeline