North Queensland co-captain Tom Dearden has scuppered suggestions he could do a player swap with Sam Walker as the new father takes aim at keeping the Australia No.7 jersey for the rest of the World Cup.
Dearden and Sydney-based partner Millie welcomed daughter Dolly last week in a joyous occasion.
Sydney Roosters’ decision to pull a contract extension for No.7 Walker has opened up what Dearden called “a circus” of speculation that the pair could swap clubs as soon as next year.
Dearden, whose partner is set to move to Townsville, was emphatic when asked about a swap.
"Zero chance,” he said.
"It is a bit frustrating. The most frustrating thing is the fans reading it and believing that's going to happen.
"You always have Cowboys fans questioning whether I'm going to go … but I've been in front of the cameras a few times and assured them I'm not going anywhere.
"I'm committed to the Cowboys and I love playing up here. None of that's ever changed."
Dearden is on contract until the end of 2029 and not a free agent until November 1, 2028
“It's a bit of a circus coming up to November 1 for a lot of players, but it's exactly the same for me. I'm not going anywhere,” he said.
Dearden will play halfback for the Kangaroos in Townsville against Cook Islands on Saturday night after edging out Walker. It is a virtual No.7 audition and he is now in pole position to get the nod in the knockout rounds.
"It would mean a lot. The most important thing when you get this opportunity is just dialling into my job and what I need to do for our team to play well,” Dearden said.
"That's an important part of playing halfback. I just want to go out there and do my job and do the Kangaroos proud."
Dearden's partnership with five-eighth Cameron Munster was scintillating in the State of Origin series last year when the duo combined to secure a 2-1 series win.
Dearden was the Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series.
"I think we just complement each other," Dearden said.
"Munster's a great player and part of playing alongside Munny and Walshy (Reece Walsh) at the back is giving them their opportunities.
"I've always enjoyed playing with Munny. He's a larrikin. Everyone loves him off the field, and you respect what he does on the field so much."
Dearden said he was supporting Walker amidst the fallout over his Roosters deal.
"We're all getting around him. If you know Sammy's personality, he's a pretty cruisy character, and there's not much that really bothers him," Dearden said.
It has been a whirlwind week for Dearden who attended Dolly's birth last Friday before flying to Brisbane where he played No.6 against Fiji on Sunday.
"I went back down for one night and then came back up here," he said.
"It's been good to be able to get back in camp and dial into playing footy.
"That's what's important, our game against the Cook Islands tomorrow.
"It's a big credit to my partner Millie. She's been holding the fort down, and she's had to deal with all the no sleep.
"I've been up here in camp getting eight hours every night."
Dearden said his partner would soon join him in Queensland.
"We've been very clear that she's coming up to Townsville and none of that's changed," he said.
"You can understand the speculation with Millie being down in Sydney, but ... you just let all the outside noise be outside noise."
