Cronulla have confirmed they have denied a request from Josh Morris for a release, naming the disgruntled star centre in their NRL Nines squad.
Morris had hoped to join his twin brother Brett at the Sydney Roosters after reportedly being “filthy” over being pushed to the wing by the Sharks’ recruitment of Jesse Ramien from Newcastle.
However, a Sharks official told AAP they had “rejected the request” which would have released him from the last year of his deal.
Cronulla doubled down, naming the former Test and NSW flyer in a strong Nines squad that will also feature Ramien, Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend and Aaron Woods.
It emerged on Monday night that 33-year-old Morris wanted to join the back-to-back premiership-winning Roosters and end his career playing alongside his brother.
His manager David Riolo told News Corp that Morris was “pretty filthy” over the prospect of being relegated to the wing with Ramien and Bronson Xerri expected to play in the centres for the Sharks in 2020.
Morris believed there was an opportunity at the Roosters after Latrell Mitchell’s departure and an injury to Billy Smith.
But Cronulla coach John Morris said the unhappy star remained an integral part of his NRL club, especially with a question mark remaining over the playing future of Josh Dugan who is nursing a knee injury.
“There was an enquiry there around Josh’s side and I think our fans and members deserve the full truth,” John Morris told NRL.com website.
“There is an option there for him to take up a deal to play with his brother but as head coach of the Sharks I have got to make sure I put out a competitive team on the park every week that can win us games and hopefully win the grand final.
“Josh Morris is our most experienced player and he will be here in 2020.
“We have just lost 1000 games of experience with Paul Gallen gone, Matt Prior gone, Siose Feki gone, Kurt Capewell gone and Jayden Brailey gone.”
Former Test and NSW X-factor Dugan was not named in the Sharks’ Nines squad as they attempt to determine the severity of his injury.
Dugan has had limited involvement in pre-season training after reports emerged last week that his camp had suggested the idea of a medical retirement but were knocked back by Cronulla’s medical experts.
Morris told NRL.com that he was unaware of Dugan’s medical retirement plea.
“Josh is dealing with a medical issue around his knee, he has been limited in training so we are just trying to find out what is going on with that,” the coach said.
“When we work out what that is we will have a plan for him.
“(But) nothing has come across our desk about a medical retirement.”