The South Sydney Rabbitohs have hit back at the rival code, after suggestions that Eddie Jones was interested in their star Origin rep, Cameron Murray.

Jones, the Wallabies head coach, put Murray on his short list of potential crossover targets, news of which got back to the rugby league second rower.

Murray’s own public response didn’t rule out a move in the future, once he is off contract in 2025, saying ‘he loved’ playing the game as a schoolboy at the prestigious Newington College in Sydney but watered down any suggestion a move would happen before then.

South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has come out and taken a swipe at Rugby Australia, saying they need to get their ‘own house in order,’ while they hemorrhage talent to rugby league in the junior ranks.

“Cameron is a great player, he’s a great person and he’s developing into a wonderful leader,” Solly told The Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s been a privilege at Souths to watch him go from being the talented junior footballer to an NRL player to a Kangaroo.

“I’m not surprised rugby has shown an interest in him, but the fact is, he’s contracted until the end of 2025, and we’d love him to stay longer. In truth, rugby really needs to get its own house in order.

“It continues to lose talented kids to rugby league every year, it has financial challenges and it will need more than some NRL signings to solve its many problems.”

Rugby Australia’s chair Hamish McLennan also got involved in the war of words, calling Solly ‘sensitive’ over Murray’s playing future.

“Why is he being so sensitive? And we make no apologies for showing an interest in Cam Murray. He grew up playing rugby union. It’s a free market.”

Murray had been likened as a midfield prospect by Jones, but a code switch is unlikely to happen before he is off contract after 2025, ruling Murray out of featuring in a potential Lions tour.

Rugby Australia’s big target, Joseph Suaali’I, also has re-committed to the Roosters club until the end of 2024, but the short-term deal leaves the door open for a union switch ahead of 2025.

Eels center Will Penisini and Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona also were on Jones’ wish list.