IN recent years, there has been a number of Super League young stars that have made the move – or will be making the move – to the NRL.
The likes of Dom Young, Bailey Hodgson, Will Pryce and Kai Pearce-Paul will all be plying their trade in the southern hemisphere’s most prized competition in 2024, with Wakefield Trinity star Lewis Murphy now confirmed to be joining them.
Murphy has signed a two-year deal with Sydney Roosters, but faces an intense competition for a wing spot alongside the likes of Young, Joseph Suaalii, Daniel Tupou and Jaxson Paulo.
Now his agent, Craig Harrison of Show Me The Money UK, has explained just how the Roosters’ move for Murphy came about.
“Suddenly we get a connection with Sydney Roosters. When it’s an Australian team you can speak 12 months before and I wish both competitions it would be 12 months.
“There is no compensation for you to go to Sydney Roosters because you are out of contract but there would be if you went to a UK team,” Harrison said on Show Me The Money UK TV: Inside the Deal podcast.
“We get the call, we feel there is interest and go into talks a little bit with Wakefield. How exciting is it when you get that phone call?”
In reply, Murphy said: “It was a dream, especially from such a prestigious club like Sydney Roosters. I didn’t believe you at first and then it escalated.”
Harrison continued: “We want to try and help our competition to get bigger but what’s it like having a connection with Sydney Roosters?
“We wanted to talk to Mark and do right by him. I suppose a young lad in our game, you’re getting asked to go to one of the biggest club in the world who have a history with Super League. Trent Robinson has coached in Super League. You have got to pinch yourself.
“We shouldn’t have to wait until you are 30 to earn good money, if people knew what happened with a wage structure of 28 players, the top 20 players will be the older ones. The younger ones could be on 15, 20 grand.
“It’s not always for the money, we are going there for other reasons but I think our game needs to help itself. The opportunity is so good but people need to understand what is behind that.”
Murphy’s aim for 2023 was to back up his superb 2022 Super League season.
“I wanted a full season just to prove that I love the club and that it’s not just a one-season wonder. I knew people would be thinking that because I would be. I was trying to back that up, but I’ve done my ACL now!”