By Jon Geddes

STRUGGLING NRL player Josh Schuster could kickstart his career and rediscover his love for football with a stint in the Shute Shield.

Depending on the terms of his final release from the Sea Eagles  - and if rival NRL clubs show no interest in signing him – playing  in the premiership club competition could open the many opportunities in rugby for the 22-year-old.

What may appear a fanciful notion, on closer consideration makes a lot of sense and Rugby News can reveal the four reasons why.   

A person very well-qualified to comment, former Wallaby back Mark Gerrard, sees the  idea has plenty of merit.

Aside from his 24 Test caps, Gerrard is also building an impressive CV as a coach and understands both codes very well with a strong league background - which includes being a star junior representative player growing up.

“I’d love an opportunity to work with a young kid like that and just teach him – purely because this game is very different and is probably one of the only sports in the world caters for everyone,” said Gerrard, who was the first Australian to be signed straight from school on a Super Rugby contract.

So, let’s count down the arguments for the big switch…