True Blue Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach has declared Cameron Murray as the next captain of the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues and believes the South Sydney Rabbitohs backrower will thrive this season after securing his future at the club until the end of 2025.
Murray has already been touted as a future captain for club, state and country by many in the Rugby League community and has already enjoyed a strong NRL career which has seen him earn representative honours with NSW and Australia.
He ended speculation about his immediate playing future by re-signing with the cardinal and myrtle for another four seasons, which is a major boost for the club on the eve of the competition restarting after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roach spoke highly of the 22-year-old and claimed his leadership qualities both on and off the field would lead him to taking over from Boyd Cordner in the future and captaining his state.
“I think it’s fantastic for (South Sydney) and also NSW,” Roach told Behind Blue Eyes.
“Can you imagine what that kid would have learned last year just being involved in the State of Origin?
“He is a State of Origin captain in waiting.
“I loved his temperament and loved the way he sucked everything out of the room and learning how to be a professional (and) just learning about what he needs to do to prepare for big games.
“A lot of people haven’t noticed…he’s not a big man but his work rate is unbelievable and has an ability to shrug people off (and) I don’t know how he does that.”
Murray is the reigning Dally M Lock of the Year but has shifted to second-row for the 2020 campaign with coach Wayne Bennett looking to utilise the young star on the left-edge.
Roach believes the transition will allow Murray to be more effective at various stages of the game and has no qualms about the representative star filling the void of club stalwarts Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis and John Sutton.
“As we mentioned about him before, his maturity is unbelievable and that’s a great signing for South Sydney,” he said.
“I wasn’t a believer in the really big, long 10 year contracts but he deserves everything he gets.”
The Rabbitohs will take on arch-rival Sydney Roosters in a blockbuster Round 3 clash at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.