Schuster takes indefinite break from NRL for mental health reasons as Souths support star

South Sydney forward Josh Schuster’s management have confirmed the back-rower will be taking an indefinite break from rugby league for mental health reasons.

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The Daily Telegraph reported Schuster is taking a break from the NRL to deal with personal issues.

The Rabbitohs have given their full support to Schuster to look after his wellbeing away from the spotlight of professional rugby league.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly confirmed the club would continue to support Schuster, who hasn’t trained for over a week, while he steps away from the game.

“Our only priority is Josh’s welfare and mental health,” Solly told The Daily Telegraph.

“The Rabbitohs will continue to support Josh and his family through this.”

The 24-year-old played 50 games in the top grade with Manly between 2020 and 2023 before being released from his $800,000 a year contract to take a break from the game last year.

Schuster was signed by Souths on a modest deal to prove himself amid his comeback to the game, but he is yet to debut for the club despite being picked in the reserves multiple times this season and playing NSW Cup.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Josh Schuster of the Rabbitohs is seen during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at USANA Rabbitohs Centre on March 10, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Schuster’s manager Mario Tartak though said rugby league is not a priority right now.

“At this point in time, our primary focus is on Josh Schuster’s welfare and mental health,” Tartak said.

“Football is the least of our concerns right now.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs have shown tremendous support, and both Josh and his family are incredibly grateful for the care and understanding the club has extended.

“We kindly ask that everyone respects Josh’s privacy and gives him the space he needs as he navigates through this period.”

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The former junior prodigy who captained the New South Wales under-18 team and went on to have a breakout season with the Manly Sea Eagles in 2021 after debuting the previous season.

Schuster was even mentioned as a NSW Origin bolter in 2021 during a rapid rise.

However, a failed move to five-eighth and injuries caused his Manly career to stall and he was released by the club after playing his last game for the Sea Eagles in 2023.

He left Manly in he middle of 2023 in a mutual agreement to end his contract, and had all of 2024 away from rugby league before joining the Rabbitohs at the start of this year on a minimum wage deal for the year.

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