Cooper Cronk rules out rugby union switch

Australian, Queensland and Melbourne NRL star Cooper Cronk has ruled out a switch to rugby union in 2018.

Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk

NRL star Cooper Cronk has dismissed speculation he is considering a switch to rugby union in 2018. (AAP)

Plenty of soul searching might lay ahead but Cooper Cronk has made one big decision - he is not interested in rugby union.

There has been no end of speculation about Cronk's future after the Kangaroos' halfback had declared he would leave NRL club Melbourne at season's end and join his fiancee in Sydney.

But even Cronk seemed taken aback by reports he had been pursued by Super Rugby outfit the NSW Waratahs and had even received a tick of approval from Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

The Melbourne No.7 laughed on Friday when asked about a possible code switch.

"That won't be happening. That's fair to say - categorically," he said.

"Everyone has their right to an opinion but I haven't had any conversation with rugby union and I have no intention.

"My intention is to make a decision on if I play again next year, not where I am going to play."

The Waratahs and Australian Rugby Union have been quick to shut down any interest in the 33-year-old - much to Cronk's bemusement.

"Media have their right to fill some pages but they don't know the conversations I have had," he said.

"I did play a bit of rugby at school and thoroughly enjoyed it and I watch rugby and played with some of the current Wallabies' players.

"But I love rugby league. It has given me everything I have in my life."

Cronk was quick to dismiss rugby but was in no rush to answer the question on everyone's lips - would he play in the NRL next year and where?

"I am not waiting for a light-bulb moment and wake up and know the answer," Cronk said.

"I will have an answer for you at some stage.

"I need to make a smart decision and they don't happen overnight."

Options for next year are running out after Warriors' Kieran Foran had become the latest star playmaker to decide his future, signing a three-year deal with Canterbury.

But Cronk said: "I won't be dictated by the market.

"I think I am mentally and physically fit enough to play on.

"(But) I just played a Test match. Hopefully, I have a big Origin campaign around the corner, Melbourne are in a decent position and there is a World Cup.

"A lot of football decisions need to be made.

"I know you want to know my future but, until that day, I think we will just be walking around in circles."


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Source: AAP



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