Boom young Cronulla NRL recruit Jack Bird wants to take his blossoming career forward by playing in the backline.
The highly regarded NSW under 20 and Junior Kangaroos utility has joined the Sharks after several seasons in the junior ranks with their area rivals St George Illawarra.
Versatile Bird 19, played in both the forwards and backs as a junior, but has expressed a preference for the latter, as he attempts to cement a spot in the Sharks side.
“I did play a bit in the forwards when I was younger coming up through the ranks but I do have a preference and it is in the backs somewhere,” Bird told AAP.
“Either at centre, fullback or five-eighth, I’ll slot in anywhere….but I don’t see myself as a forward.”
It looks a smart decision given the Sharks boast plenty of forward firepower, including Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Anthony Tupou and Chris Heighington.
Not that earning a backline spot will be a doddle.
Fellow recruit Ben Barba is expected to get first crack at the five-eighth jersey vacated by Todd Carney’s departure and Michael Gordon is firmly entrenched at fullback.
While he has a minor shoulder injury, Bird is almost certain to make his Cronulla debut in next month’s Nines tournament.
Helping Bird settle at the Sharks has been the recent arrival at the club of several familiar faces from the Dragons.
Kyle Stanley and Gerard Beale were late additions to the roster, while former Dragons head coach Steve Price was recently appointed as an assistant to Cronulla head coach Shane Flanagan.
“Having them around has made it a bit more comfortable for me and everything has gone well so far,” Bird said.
“I signed with them (St George Illawarra) since I was 13, so it was hard for me to leave, but it was just a stepping stone in life, I guess.
“It’s a big step and I just wanted to experience new things, so that was the reason why I moved.”
Last season’s wooden spooners have recruited well and are tipped to improve significantly after a tough 2014 off the field as well, where they had to contend with the ASADA supplements investigation.
“I think the boys are over it, it’s a new start for us all,” Bird said.