‘I want to challenge myself’: Is Cameron Munster ready to play for a Sydney club?

Moving to Sydney is a genuine option for Cameron Munster, who confirmed he was only going to the open market because Melbourne were still unsure who would replace his good friend Craig Bellamy as coach in 2028.

Munster also said he was lukewarm about a return home to Queensland for fear of blocking the path of a young playmaker at their four NRL clubs.

The Queensland captain is one of 11 Kangaroos players free to talk to rival clubs on November 1, which falls in the middle of the World Cup.

While Munster, 32, said he would not have survived playing in Sydney at the start of his career – and how “the bright lights would have chewed me up” – he was now more mature and better equipped to cope with the scrutiny.

Most of the Sydney clubs have at least one half signed beyond 2027 on decent money.

Cronulla are committed to Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall; St George Illawarra have invested in Kodi Nikorima and Luke Metcalf, the Sydney Roosters and Penrith are eager to extend Sam Walker and Nathan Cleary respectively, Canterbury have Lachlan Galvin until the end of 2028, and Parramatta has Mitchell Moses locked in for three more seasons.

Manly have so many halves they are prepared to release Luke Brooks a year early if he can land a deal, South Sydney do not have an established playmaker beyond 2027, but are busy trying to extend several stars, while the Wests Tigers do not have a top-line half, but would not appeal to Munster at this stage of his career.

How much Munster’s next deal would be worth has been up for debate, with News Corp reports suggesting Munster was unhappy with the Storm tabling an offer worth about $750,000 a year.

“I don’t know about that – I think that’s a bit of speculation,” he said while in camp with Australia’s squad ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against New Zealand in Sydney.

“I’ve only spoken to them about who the coach is after Craig, and there’s no real inkling about who that will be.

“I’ve played all my footy with Craig. I respect the guy and have nothing but love for him. I’m not too sure what he wants to do, and he can’t give me that [assurance].

“I also have to do what’s best for my family, and make sure my family is in a good spot.

“The bright lights [of Sydney] would have chewed me up then [as a kid]. I’m older now, and I’d be able to enjoy life there more. I was down in Sydney for grand final week and saw how crazy it is.

“You have to take the good with the bad. You can shy away from the media and [spotlight] and stay comfortable, or I can get out my comfort zone and challenge myself. I want to challenge myself.