Joey Manu

[ChookMaster]

Not convincing at all… -

during an interview with Nine News on Monday, the former Golden Boot winner revealed he won't be playing for another NRL franchise - instead, he could be switching to the 15-man code next year or in the future.

"I've been here for a long time now and Roosters is pretty much home for me ... if I'm playing rugby league, I'm here at the Roosters," Manu said.

"I'm not too sure what I will end up doing, but rugby is a challenge and it's something different, something new. If I go and play rugby, I will be focused on rugby - not really going and coming back sort of thing.

"Obviously [playing for] the All Blacks would be pretty cool. That's a Kiwi's dream.

"It's the option to try and challenge myself. I think for any player, that's where they grow as a player and a person."


Thoughts?

[milanja]

Shame if we lose another superstar(sheck,Latrell)

[Rooster_6]

I said this in another thread but the more this drags on the more nervous I’m becoming.

I don’t think he ever gets the fullback role here to be honest so I can understand the desire to want to chase something more.

[theGman]

Dear Joseph,
Take notice from your former team mates RTS & Benji and realise, the grass isn't always greener no matter how confident you may be.

I personally believe this is all hogwash and a strategy from his Manager to put pressure on our club to offer him a rich long term deal and associated offerings.

[fletch]

Roosters star Joey Manu says any overseas rugby stint he undertakes would be a genuine code-switch rather than a short-term sabbatical where he’d try to make a mid-season NRL return.

But the hottest free agent in the game would leave a significant six-figure sum on the table rather than play against the Tricolours.

Speaking for the first time on a possible shift to Japanese rugby when his current Roosters deal expires at the end of 2024, Manu confirmed he is still weighing up his future amid interest from the 15-man code.

The 27-year-old hopes to make a decision before the Roosters’ historic season-opener against Brisbane in Las Vegas on March 3.

Manu’s management and the Roosters have discussed a potential short-term switch to play in Japan’s elite rugby competition from December to May before returning to finish the 2025 season at Bondi.

But the Kiwi star distanced himself from that option as part of long-term extension talks with the Roosters, the club he joined at age 16.

“It’s an option, I think rugby is a challenge,” Manu said. “If I go to play rugby, I’m focused on rugby, not on coming back.

“You could probably go there and come back, but the focus isn’t really going there to just play for a few months and come back. It’s not really that.

“I grew up playing rugby but it’s really just a case of looking at all options and that was one that was tossed up.

“I’ve been at the Roosters for 10 years now. It’s been a long time and I love the place. That makes it very hard to leave but we’ll see what happens.”

Manu’s status as the NRL’s best centre, as well as an elite fullback and handy five-eighth, prompted Shane Flanagan to publicly target him as the foundation of his Dragons rebuild.

St George Illawarra were willing to spend around $1.2 million a season across a four-year deal to lure Manu out of red, white and blue, but their interest has never progressed beyond that.

Manu has made clear he has no intention of playing against Trent Robinson’s side. In 2021 the Golden Boot winner held talks with Super Rugby’s Waikato Chiefs before re-signing with the Roosters, and once again rugby is the only competition for his services.

“I don’t want to play against them at all. Not at all. What the club’s done for me over my career, I couldn’t do that,” Manu said.

“I appreciate all that help too much and I’ve enjoyed my time. I’d like to stay, that’s the priority and we’ll see what happens with the other options.

“Robbo’s very open, he’s a very good man and he just wants what’s best for you. I want the best for myself and my family, and the Roosters too.

“Whatever happens, it has to be good for everyone, so we had those open conversations and now it’s up to my manager. [Rugby] is still just an option at this stage. But I’m at the point where it’s time to look at those options in both codes. I played both codes growing up.

“And in terms of rugby league, I want to be a Rooster. That’s where my head is at and playing rugby league is what I’m focusing on.”

That includes a starring role in potentially the tallest back line on record, with Dominic Young (200cm), Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii (196cm) all shading Manu, who stands at 192cm.

Robinson has regularly given Manu a roving remit to maximise his talent given James Tedesco is entrenched at fullback, and Manu has targeted these involvements, as well as his defensive decisions, as his biggest areas for improvement in 2024.

“Defensively is where I want to get better,” Manu said. “I feel like there’s a lot of improvement in me on an edge, and as a player in that part of the team. There’s another step there for me in terms of my best, chasing those moments in games.

“Teddy is that player for us who can break a game right open. I want to help him out with that, take that pressure off him. I want that to be my role.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/roo...05-p5f2ft.html

[roosterproud]

uncle Nick has offer Joey a role similar to Boyds as a development role when he retires. He is going to jap yawnion for 1 year then Teddy steps down.

[roosterproud]

so why the new thread anyway

[Kelby]

So basically, it comes down to..............................

show me the money roosters!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mickie Lane]

I think Latrell is coming back.

[Bates]

I think Latrell is coming back.

Is he welcomed back?

[Bates]

Sports managers doing what sports mangers do. You can't begrudge RL players wanting to maximise their salary in what is a short career span compared to other professions.

[Waylander]

Perhaps this will be how Dom Young switches into the centers. He will play right center and Billy on the left, with Toops (if he's still playing), Nawaqanitawase & Lewis as wing options.

[JAF]

Is he welcomed back?

NO, not by me ...

[SamKerrSimp]

uncle Nick has offer Joey a role similar to Boyds as a development role when he retires. He is going to jap yawnion for 1 year then Teddy steps down.

He’s literally saying he won’t do that

[SamKerrSimp]

I really don’t care whether he stays or goes anymore he hasn’t been as good as he should be since the last time he re-signed I just wish that he would hurry up and make a decision