Morris feels for Sharks mates but focused on boosting Roosters

Josh Morris feels for his former Sharks teammates but says regardless of the timing of Bronson Xerri's positive drugs test, he would have still wanted to be a Rooster for the rest of 2020.

Morris played the opening two rounds with Cronulla before leaving the Sharks to join his twin brother Brett at the Roosters the last week of March.

Xerri's alleged positive test announced on Tuesday was taken in November and had the results been publicised earlier – or before round one began on March 12 – could it have led to Morris withdrawing his request to leave Cronulla?

"Probably not. I think the opportunity all along to play with Brett was what happened there," Morris said on Sunday.

"To be able to potentially finish our careers together was something we dreamed of when we first started playing.

"To get that opportunity, and at a club like the Roosters, made it an easy decision.

"I'm just grateful to be here and playing alongside him again."

Cronulla could have, however, refused his request if they had known their 19-year-old centre's future was clouded by the prospect of potentially receiving a lengthy suspension.

The Roosters are thrilled to have Morris on board following his strong club debut in their 28-12 win over the Rabbitohs on Friday even though he linked with winger Daniel Tupou on the left, leaving Brett with centre Joey Manu on the right.

Both players were just shy of 100 running metres, although Josh upped the sibling rivalry with a try assist for Kyle Flanagan and a line break. But Brett made two devastating cover-defence tackles in the one set.

So unsurprisingly for an Origin and Test player, Josh has picked up where he left off at the Sharks. But he carries empathy for what his former teammates are going through as Xerri's case must now go through ASADA's procedures.  

"It's obviously disappointing. I still see a couple of the [Sharks] boys at TAFE on Tuesday nights. They were rocked by the news," said Morris, who is studying carpentry. 

"I sent a few of them a 'good luck' message yesterday [before their Wests Tigers game]. They're still my mates and I still care about the boys.

"It is disappointing with what's happened with Bronson and there's obviously a process to take part. But I'm feeling for the boys and the fans as well. Obviously Jesse [Ramien] and Bronson were their long-term centres there, so there has been a spanner thrown in the works.

"But we saw Duges [Josh Dugan] get an opportunity and he came up with a double."

Morris said there had never been talk inside the Roosters walls of the twins playing next to each other as they did on the Bulldogs' left edge a couple of seasons ago.

"No, Brett was happy to stay out there on the right with Joey. They've built a really nice combo there," Morris said.

"I've played alongside Tupes in the Origin arena as well so I was excited to come across there.

"We got to see what he's capable of the other night in the air with our first try, and just his carries out of our own half."