He wants to be a Shark in 2021, but even Toby Rudolf isn’t sure where he’ll be next year.
In the final year of a two-year deal with Cronulla, Rudolf signed a three-year deal with the Warriors during the suspension of the season but is now keen to stay in Sydney on compassionate grounds.
“At the moment my management is dealing with that situation,” Rudolf said Wednesday. “I am wanting to stay at the Sharks, and in Sydney, with my family for family reasons. I’ve told the Warriors that and they’ve been very supportive as well.
“At the moment my management is just working through the decision with both parties and trying to get a resolution.”
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While it may be an awkward situation for the NRL newcomer, as he says: it’s nice to be wanted.
“In one aspect it’s difficult. In another, three years ago I was driving trucks. It’s nice to be wanted as opposed to being at the end of a roster where nobody wants you at all.
“It’s nice to be wanted but also a bit annoying that it’s happened this way.”
Rudolf anticipates that the stand-off will be resolved in a few weeks’ time but is content for now to do his thing, especially: “keep waiting patiently, playing footy and doing my best to keep my starting spot here.”
Rudolf is back in the starting line-up this week after a 62-minute shift against the Warriors which produced 19 runs for 179 metres – 75 of which were post-contact. Having played in every game this season, he’s bruised and a little battered after meeting his one-time future teammates on the weekend.
“I’m a bit battered and bruised from last week’s shellacking from the Warriors and Agnatius Paasi’s shoulder in my jaw, but other than that I’m fine and relishing the challenge of each week.”
Check out the shot Paasi put on Rudolf below – including some headband-on-headband mild violence.
Having got significant minutes off the bench for the past five matches and with Andrew Fifita and Scott Sorensen both missing with injuries, there’s an opportunity for Rudolf to cement his spot in the 13 – if only a teammate doesn’t take it first.
Jack Williams was the first choice lock until recently and will come off the bench against St George Illawarra. Former U/20s NSW Origin captain Teig Wilton will make his debut off the bench, while the in-form Royce Hunt is also on the bench.
Still in the 21, ball-playing utility Billy Magoulias and Daniel Vazquez are also options.
Cronulla may lack experience in the middle, but they’re not short of talented options ready to make their mark.
“With training every week, if you’re not in the side you’re trying to make a mark and put some shots on; it only breeds healthy competition for the jersey,” Rudolf said.
While former Test and Origin forward Aaron Woods is still just 29, he has plenty of old man guile when the young bloods come after him at training.
“Woodsy is the worst of anyone,” Rudolf said. “If anyone starts digging into him, he’ll raise an elbow, raise a forearm, dig something into your guts: he’s the worst.
“He’s been doing it for a long time so he knows how to get under our skin.”
After tearing his ACL the day after he penned a two-year deal, the 24-year-old’s journey to the NRL has taken longer than he anticipated but, off-contract this year, he’s confident he can do enough to stay in the black, white and blue for season 2021.
“I’m confident I’ll be a Shark in 2021.”
