Former rugby sevens star Lachie Miller is excited to play the game he grew loving for Cronulla this season.
Miller, 27, played sevens for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, but decided to cross codes to rugby league and link up with Cronulla ahead of the 2022 season.
While the speedy back had an opportunity to further his sevens career in the US, Mller explained why he couldn’t turn down the Sharks’ offer when they came calling.
“I grew up playing league,” Miller said on SEN 1170 Drive.
“I sort of had an opportunity to go and play rugby for a bit, but my heart always lied with league.
“I said if I ever got a chance to head back and jump back into it that I’d always take it.
“As you said, I’ve got the chance to go to the best club in Australia, as you’ve said.”
One of the key reasons Miller chose Cronulla was his dealings with new coach Craig Fitzgibbon, and he explained how the first-year boss is creating a strong culture on The Shire.
“I wasn’t around last year, so I can’t really comment on how it was before,” Miller said.
“But with Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon), he’s got that gentleman first, rugby player second attitude.
“If you see someone at the club you go up to them, shake their hand, ask them how they’re going.
“Everyone as you’ve said have built a really nice culture, everyone gets along, the people upstairs who you might not see as much, they’re right behind you.
“It’s a really good feel at the club.”
While many expected the cross-code star to slot in on a wing in his first year at NRL level, Miller says a playmaking role could be what he’s assigned with in his maiden campaign.
“It is a bit of an unknown at the moment, but I’ve been training a little bit in the halves, and a little bit of fullback,” Miller said.
“Obviously, there’s some pretty talented players there so I’m just keen to get on the field at any stage, anywhere at any position.
“Whichever way it comes, in the halves, at fullback or as a utility.”
Miller will hope to pull on the sky blue when the Sharks open their 2022 campaign against the Raiders at GIO Stadium in Round 1.