{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Josh Schuster |fullname = Joshua Schuster |nickname = |image = JOSH SCHUSTER.jpg |position = {{rlp|FE|LK|SR}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2001|05|05}} |birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |height = {{convert|185|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|102|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |club1 = Manly Sea Eagles |year1start = 2020 |year1end = 24 |appearances1 = 50 |tries1 = 5 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 20 |club2 = South Sydney |year2start = 2025 |year2end = |appearances2 = 0 |tries2 = 0 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 0 |teamA = {{rlnt|Samoa}} |yearAstart = 2022 |yearAend = |appearancesA = 1 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |new = yes |source = <ref>[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/josh-schuster/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref> |updated = 18 August 2023 | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = | mother = | spouse = | education = | alma_mater = | relatives = John Schuster (great uncle)<br>Peter Schuster (great uncle) }} }}
'''Josh Schuster''' (born 5 May 2001) is a {{rlnt|Samoa}} international rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|sr}} forward or {{rlp|fe}} for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
==Background== Schuster was born in Sydney, Australia to Australian parents of Samoan and German descent. Schuster's grandfather David and great-uncle Peter both represented Samoa in rugby union,<ref name="Schuster family">{{cite web|last=Cousins|first=Wayne|date=20 June 2022|title='We've done it, brother': Schuster to honour Titmus in Pacific Test|url=https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2022/06/20/samoa-family-bloodlines-strong-in--josh-schuster/|website=seaeagles.com.au|access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref> while another great-uncle, John, represented New Zealand in rugby union and {{rlnt|Samoa}} in rugby league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/122655943/nrls-next-superstar-exall-black-john-schusters-nephew-josh-heaped-with-praise-ahead-of-likely-debut |title='NRL's next superstar': Ex-All Black John Schuster's nephew, Josh, heaped with praise ahead of likely debut |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=3 September 2020}}</ref> His uncle Peter represented Australia in rugby sevens.<ref name="Schuster family" />
He played junior rugby league for the Mount Pritchard Mounties.
==Career== ===2020=== Schuster made his NRL debut in round 17 of the 2020 NRL season for Manly-Warringah against the Wests Tigers; in a 34–32 loss at Brookvale Oval in an NRL game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/01/round-17-nrl-squad-announcements/ |title=Round 17 NRL team lists |publisher=NRL.com |date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
===2021=== In round 5 of the 2021 NRL season, Schuster scored his first try in the NRL in Manly-Warringah's 13–12 win over the New Zealand Warriors. Schuster played 21 games for Manly in the 2021 NRL season including the club's preliminary final loss against South Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-finals-2021-south-sydney-rabbitohs-vs-manly-sea-eagles-tom-trbojevic-live-stream-updates-how-to-watch-news/news-story/27d07d70e5732eed005fa94afec8c9df/|title=GLORY, GLORY: Souths march into the GF as Wayne masterminds Manly mauling|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=24 September 2021 }}</ref>
===2022=== On 9 February, it was announced that Schuster would be ruled out indefinitely from playing after sustaining an ankle injury at pre-season training.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-casualty-ward-injury-list-jack-hetherington-raymond-faitalamariner-bulldogs-jordan-riki-brendan-piakura-broncos-stefano-utoikamanu-wests-tigers/news-story/fad889f1c85e5ee0099f099bfa497c17?fbclid=IwAR1e8WisiF9amzHvkr6dBQD2IjGJ0hi4KmVrWd2vt1z1Y7dZJuK5pdCf9tg/|title=Double Dogs blow as star enforcer out for the season; Bronco set for sideline stint: NRL Casualty Ward|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=29 March 2022 }}</ref> He made 13 appearances for Manly in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table and miss out on the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-manly-sea-eagles-season-review/s7drlzqcamqqwsoxvyiz8ua3/|title=NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=31 August 2022 |access-date=7 October 2022}}</ref> Schuster was one of seven players involved in the Manly pride jersey player boycott.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-players-threaten-to-boycott-game-over-club-s-gay-pride-jersey-20220725-p5b4fy.html |title=Seven Manly players to boycott NRL match over pride jersey |website=Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 July 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>
===2023=== On 4 July, Schuster signed a three-year contract extension to remain at Manly until the end of the 2027 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/01/01/2023-nrl-signings-tracker-latest-signings-news-details-contracts-signings-updates/|title=2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Bulldogs snare Sexton; Schuster staying put|website=www.nrl.com|date=13 July 2023 }}</ref>
Schuster was demoted to reserve grade for the second time in the 2023 NRL season after a lacklustre performance against the New Zealand Warriors in round 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-manly-sea-eagles-sack-josh-schuster-contract-extension-dragons-dropped-shane-flanagan-anthony-seibold-news-highlights-videos/news-story/b78e616e46c2229092c96cdbce16a989 |title=Sea Eagles sack Josh Schuster |publisher=www.fox sports.com.au |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref> Schuster played 15 matches for Manly in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-manly-sea-eagles-season-review-anthony-seibold-josh-schuster-salary-tom-trbojevic-positional-changes-tolu-koula-daly-cherryevans-news/news-story/3deeeb674db182b6335fd5a9b2fc4597/|title=The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
===2024=== On 10 April, it was announced that Schuster had been told by Manly officials he was free to negotiate with other clubs despite the player being contracted to Manly until the end of 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2024-josh-schuster-manly-sea-eagles-release-contract-rival-clubs/ed89f673-377c-4357-aa53-0a7c791bb5b2/|title='Ain't going': Fittler reveals huge issue with Manly's marching orders for exiled gun Josh Schuster|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}</ref> On 24 April just 14 days after being told he was free to negotiate the Manly club mutually agreed and released Schuster from the remainder of his contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-24 |title=Sea Eagles release Josh Schuster |url=https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2024/04/24/sea-eagles-release-josh-schuster/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |language=en}}</ref> On 18 September, Schuster had signed a one-year deal to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2024-09-30 |title=Rabbitohs sign Josh Schuster until the end of Season 2025 – South Sydney Rabbitohs |url=https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/rabbitohs-sign-josh-schuster-until-the-end-of-season-2025 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=rabbitohs.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
===2025=== On 21 June, Schuster announced he would be taking an indefinite break from rugby league due to mental health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-josh-schuster-takes-indefinite-break-from-rugby-league-for-mental-health-reasons-south-sydney-rabbitohs-round-16/news-story/4fc977f9796702a0b5b66676c658fcff/|title=Schuster takes indefinite break from NRL for mental health reasons as Souths support star|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> Schuster was one of nine players that was released by the South Sydney club at the end of their season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruce |first=Jasper |date=2025-09-12 |title=Former Manly star among nine players axed by Souths |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9064700/former-manly-star-among-nine-players-axed-by-souths/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/josh-schuster/ Sea Eagles profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schuster, Josh}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Australian people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Australian people of German descent Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players Category:Rugby league five-eighths Category:Rugby league locks Category:Rugby league players from Sydney Category:Samoa national rugby league team players Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen
{{Australia-rugbyleague-bio-stub}} Category:Samoan people of German descent