New Manly No.6 Josh Schuster has only played one game with Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves in a starring debut that caught the attention of his idol and opposite number Benji Marshall.
Marshall playing in his last season for the Tigers in 2020 was in awe of Schuster’s ability, labelling his debut the best he had ever seen.
“I’ve got to say – the kid on the other team, it was the best debut I’ve seen from a young kid in my time, ever,” Marshall told Fox League after the game.
Watch every game LIVE & ad-break free during play is on FOX LEAGUE with Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“Absolutely [he’s got a big future]. Remember his name because I tell you what, he was commanding the ball in the game, where kids don’t usually do that. I was really impressed with him.”
Fast-forward to 2023, now an established first grader, Schuster still pinches himself that he faced one of his heroes in his first ever NRL match.
“It was my first game and coming across someone like Benji, who was one of my idols was pretty surreal,” Schuster told foxsports.com.au.
MORE NRL NEWS
SWITCH: Garrick was a solution to Manly’s No.1 dilemma. He has another plan
OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: Sheens tips basketball convert to push for Tigers’ No.1
‘ULTIMATE’: Manly haven’t won a title since DCE’s rookie year. A new era can deliver
WHISPERS: Knights set to land Sharks fullback in player swap with young gun prop
“I look back now and it was pretty crazy.”
Since his debut Schuster has found himself playing mostly in the back row, but Kieran Foran’s switch to the Gold Coast Titans has opened the door for him to move back to the No.6 jersey full time.
Schuster is grateful for his time spent learning from one of the best in the business in Foran and believes it will hold him in good stead for his first full season in the playmaker hot seat.
“Foz (Foran) has represented his country and played over 250 NRL games, so just his experience and learning how to control the game,” Schuster said of what Foran taught him.
“He taught me about not having to overplay your hand. You don’t have to score off every play. He was always cool, calm and collected and that is probably the main thing I have learnt from him.”
There will undoubtedly be growing pains as the 21-year-old builds combinations with his teammates, but Schuster believes his grounding in both second row and five-eighth can help make the transition easier.
“I played both five-eighth and back row in my juniors, so it is not much of a change for me,” Schuster said.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“I loved playing in the back row in my time at Manly, but I am in my preferred position now, so I’m loving life.”
However, Schuster concedes he has had to make changes to his diet to change from a second-rower’s body into that of a full-time half.
“Definitely diet wise I have had to make some changes,” Schuster said.
“Knowing what I have to eat and what is good for my body during recovery and things like that, so I had to make some big changes from playing second row.”
Also making the switch easier is the fact that he has a veteran of nearly 300 games in Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback alongside him.
Schuster concedes his combination with his No.7 is a work in progress, but is excited to get more game time with the Queensland and Australian halfback.
“Me and Chez (Cherry-Evans) have been working hard on our combination and it has been going really good,” Schuster said.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I have only played one game with him in the halves, which was my debut.
“Our combo has been coming along nicely in the last couple of months of pre-season, so we just have to keep working hard.”
Schuster made a huge call to skip last year’s World Cup and watched his native Samoa go on a dream run to the final.
However, he has no regrets over his decision to put his club first this time given the importance of the challenge of becoming one of Manly’s main playmakers.
“I just wanted to prepare myself for the new five-eighth role and focus on my training,” Schuster said.
“It was a massive call for myself and my family. But I look back on it now and it was definitely the best decision that I have made.”
Still, Schuster has ambitions to play in a World Cup for his country one day and also has one eye on a sky blue jersey come Origin time.
“Origin is definitely one of my main goals,” Schuster said.
“I would love to play for NSW this year or in the next couple of years, but I definitely want to test myself at Origin level.
“I would also love to represent Samoa at the next World Cup.”
Manly could have a completely different edge combination this season, with Schuster moving from second row to five-eighth and Reuben Garrick targeting a switch from wing to the centres.
Schuster is looking forward to putting the new combinations to the test in the upcoming Pre-season Challenge.
“At the moment Reuben has been training on my side,” Schuster said.
“He has been going really good actually. We are getting our combinations in order.
“We are looking to test that in our trials in the next couple of weeks.”
Manly will also need to fill Schuster’s void in the second row and he believes Tigers recruit Kelma Tuilagi will get first crack at partnering Haumole Olakau’atu in the second row.
“I think at the moment, Kelma Tuilagi will be there,” Schuster said.
“He has been going really good and we have been working on our combinations, so it will most likely be him to start the season.”
Schuster also earmarked Samuela Fainu for a breakout year after the versatile forward impressed him in pre-season.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him because he is one of my close boys, but Samuela Fainu is in for a big year,” Schuster said.
“He has probably been the most impressive in pre-season for me. He is still so young and definitely has a big future.
“He is versatile and can play second row, lock and prop. He is a ball player as well and a hard runner and tackler, so he is one to watch.”
Schuster also enters his first year as a five-eighth with a new coach and has been impressed by the way Anthony Seibold has created a family atmosphere at the club.
“When he first came I noticed he was a family man,” Schuster said.
“His first week back we had dinner with his family and met his family, which was nice.
“We have been doing heaps of family stuff with our players and their wives and kids coming in and having lunch and things like that, which has been good.
“And of course he is a good coach. He has a good knowledge of the game. He has been around the game for a while now, just like his coaching staff Shane Flanagan and Jim Dymock, so it is exciting times for the club.”
Manly’s 2022 season imploded as they lost their final seven games to miss the finals, but Schuster believes if they can build some confidence early, the club can return to the top of the table in 2023.
“I think consistency is the key,” Schuster said.
“We have got to turn up each week and put in the effort again. It is as simple as that.
“I think the more wins we get early, the more confidence we will build each week and we will just go on from there.”
