Former NRL Star Josh Schuster Joins Wests Tigers NSW Cup Side
A former Manly Sea Eagles player has signed a contract with the Wests Tigers' reserve grade team for the remainder of the season.
The Deal
Josh Schuster, 25, has signed with the Wests Tigers' NSW Cup side. As part of the arrangement, he will train with the club's NRL squad once per week. He has not played in the NRL since 2024.
A Look Back at His Career
Schuster debuted in the NRL in 2020 at just 19 years old. Over five seasons with the Manly Sea Eagles, he played 50 NRL matches and scored five tries. In 2023, he re-signed with Manly on a deal reportedly worth $800,000 per season.
However, his time with the club ended early. He was released by Manly in April 2024. Following that departure, Schuster joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
A Difficult Period
In June 2024, Schuster took an indefinite break from rugby league for mental health reasons. He was later released from his contract with South Sydney. After the release, he played several NSW Cup games but has not returned to the NRL.
Turning a New Page
Schuster has stated he has lost approximately 33kg and has described his goal as returning to the NRL.
"I've done a lot of self reflection," Schuster said in an interview.
He explained that he realized he became "too comfortable" after his first grade debut, which led to a decline in his performance. Reflecting on his break, he stated he "was not mentally well" at the time.