Seibold admits 'baggage' but stands up for Schuster

Josh Schuster won’t play in Manly’s NRL season opener against the Rabbitohs, with the Sea Eagles star sidelined due to a “challenging” calf injury.

The 22-year-old was initially named for last weekend’s trial fixture, but was ruled out with the lingering issue and will now stay home as his Sea Eagles teammates fly over to Las Vegas for an historic clash at Allegiant Stadium.

Schuster had a rocky 2023 campaign due to form and injury concerns, but the club has continued to show faith in the utility and extended him on a long-term deal.

Speaking to media ahead of the side’s flight overseas, head coach Anthony Seibold admitted Schuster was in the mix, but the medical staff opted for a safe approach.

Josh Schuster won’t play in Manly’s NRL season opener in Las Vegas.

“He was pretty close,” Seibold said.

“The last two runs for Josh, he has got through training fine, but it’s just the tightness of it … [They are] little warning signs or red flags.

“Giving him a couple of weeks of reconditioning with the staff who have been left behind will give him the best opportunity to play.

“I’ve put timeframes on it the past two weeks, but I don’t want to do that anymore because it puts Schuey under pressure.”

Schuster has played 50 NRL games for Manly since making his debut in 2020, with his best football coming in the back row during the club’s run to the 2021 finals series.

After being trialled as a No.6 alongside representative star Daly Cherry-Evans, Schuster will move back into the forwards after the arrival of Luke Brooks, despite his hefty price tag and initial plans to play in the halves.

Speaking on the criticism of the young star, Seibold gave a gentle reminder of the difficult journey Schuster had endured since arriving in first grade as a teenager.

“It’s a really challenging one. He is a fantastic young kid and I know the noise from outside the club is that he isn’t a hard trainer, but he’s a really hard trainer,” Seibold said.

“He’s got some baggage I suppose because he’s been inconsistent in the past, but I don’t think we’ll see the best of Josh Schuster for 12 or 24 months.

Manly is backing Josh Schuster for a big career.

“He’s got so much more in him, but I’ve backed him and the club has backed him.

“The great Bob Fulton spotted him as a kid and I think everyone would agree that Bob Fulton didn’t get too many things wrong when it comes to footy.

“It will take time for him to mature, but he’s got x-factor, and when he’s in our 17 we’re gonna be a better side.

“We’re going to back him and we understand there will be some frustrations along the way, but he is a really good young man.

“He’s had to deal with some really challenging times in the passing of his best mate Keith Titmuss and some challenges with his body.

“It’s a punt worth taking with Josh.”

Manly’s first game of the NRL season is slated for March 3 against South Sydney.