RUGBY LEAGUE: Former Sunshine Coast junior and ex-Cronulla Shark Todd Murphy is behind arguably two of the best halves in the NRL, at Brisbane Broncos pre-season training.

But the 25-year-old still harbours hopes of breaking back into the NRL.

Murphy has signed with the Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup and has started full-time training with Brisbane.

And while he acknowledges it will be tough to usurp incumbent halves paring Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford, Murphy said he will be waiting in the wings should an opportunity arise in 2016.

"Obviously Ben Hunt and Milf (Milford) are probably two of the form halves in the comp so it's just about trying to learn off them I suppose," he said.

"But if the opportunity arises then I will take it with both hands.

"I just want to have a good pre-season here and see if I can jag a spot.

"Whatever happens happens and I want to train hard and enjoy myself while I can."

And with the Auckland Nines just around the corner, Murphy, who featured at this year's tournament, said he would be pushing hard at Red Hill this summer in the hope of persuading coach Wayne Bennett to book him a seat on the plane.

"The experience was unreal (in Auckland last year with the Sharks) and there were so many great players over there," he said.

"The crowds were unreal but I was crook and that never helps.

The former Sunshine Coast Sea Eagle headed to Cronulla at the end of 2014 and looked set to earn an NRL berth following the sacking of Todd Carney.

Carney's exit freed up significant cash and the Sutherland club pounced on Broncos discard Ben Barba.

Add a breakout season from rookie five-eighth Jack Bird and you can understand why Murphy found it tough to get time in the top flight.

Murphy previously told the Daily that returning to Queensland had a lot to do with the loss of his good mate, Falcons forward James Ackerman.

"It is good to be back around family which is what the decision was based around," the former Broncos under-20s player said.

"It is good to see a lot of the old familiar faces and some of the boys I haven't seen in a couple of years."

Not that Murphy didn't enjoy his time at the Shire.

"The experience was good and I got to learn some things from quality players," Murphy said.