Joey Manu set to leave Roosters to take up French rugby offer

[Rooster_6]

If true this is up there with RTS as the most disappointed I’ve been to see a player leave our club, at least in my time following the club.

Joey Manu is an absolute legend. Good bloke, exciting to watch and a truly world class player who loves the club. Ultimate respect.

[Nicola Tesla]

Taylan May you are a Rooster. Let him link up with his brother, and we kill two birds with one stone. Keep Tyrell and get a Manu replacement in the centres (or wing replacement if Nawaqanitawase plays there. 2025 backline: Ted, Nawa/May, B.Smith, May/Naw and Young. Also have Toia but he’s one more ACL away from career over, if not already.

How many ACL injuries had Toai had? Surely not as many as Billy Smith?

[Chook2]

Yes it is.
I still think Suaalii will be picked for Rd 1 in FG. He's a talent no doubt about it & would make any NRL first grade team.
The guy is 20 I think & I wouldnt take too much notice of last years game at centre, he could be a devastating centre but for now he's a very very good winger.

Yes you think he will make the backline but the higher majority of people don’t think he will get in the backline so that’s why that are not selecting him - not because he is heading to rugby
young is the best winger in the comp amd highest try scorer last year and potentially fastest while tupou is up there and a club legend
while Manu on his day is the best centre in the comp and has the runs on the board for years so will be one of the 1st players chose each week

[Lockie]

Sualii definitely, Jazz more than likely , Toops probably, Joey bon voyage , Angus maybe .That’s a pretty fair chunk of cash all of a sudden available. Nobody chases talent better than the Roosters . Let the games begin

[milanja]

Yes you think he will make the backline but the higher majority of people don’t think he will get in the backline so that’s why that are not selecting him - not because he is heading to rugby
young is the best winger in the comp amd highest try scorer last year and potentially fastest while tupou is up there and a club legend
while Manu on his day is the best centre in the comp and has the runs on the board for years so will be one of the 1st players chose each week

I think Young has a way to go to be the best winger in the comp, fast and athletic yes, but not there defensively, and not fully confident watching him under the high ball, has spilt a fair few.

I think Suaalii is great in the air, maybe our best, and a very strong runner, I would have him on one of our wings, don’t want to suggest who misses out though.

[Mickie Lane]

Mickie just doesn't get it!

Just like you.

[Thirteen]

If true this is up there with RTS as the most disappointed I’ve been to see a player leave our club, at least in my time following the club.

Joey Manu is an absolute legend. Good bloke, exciting to watch and a truly world class player who loves the club. Ultimate respect.

I agree. I won’t believe it till it’s official. Looks like re-signing Teddy for next season may cost us.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Whomever we sign to replace Manu will be a downgrade. He is the best centre in the game.

[Easts75]

Whomever we sign to replace Manu will be a downgrade. He is the best centre in the game.

Agree...also he is one of the best players in the game

Fark we have signed some hacks in the last few years, extending older players who look cooked......and now we appear to have lost our strike player we've had since he was 16 !!!!

Fark me, wrap Teddy up a year early , give Joey 1mil per season and the No.1

If reporting is correct and we've extended Keary, that to me is mind boggling why they wouldn't just wait into the season to see how his body is.

[Danish]

The south of France ain’t what it used to be. France in general is degenerating into a ****ing cesspit so Manu would be wise to weigh up the lifestyle change before taking their money.

personally I’d advise him to take an open market offer in Australia instead of moving to France. He’ll easily get a $1.1m offer to play for another NRL team

[King Salvo]

Purely a money situation as he won't be eligible for All Black Selection if playing in France.

Under the NZR's current regulations, players plying their trade in foreign countries are unable to be selected at international level for the All Blacks.

[Kentucky_Fried_Rooster]

He'll love the money, and hate the game. He'll be back.

Not sure about hating the game, I'm positive his background is union so he must enjoy the game.

But I do agree he will be back, I think in 2026 or 2027, this is just to top up the bank account and helps the club tight salary cap before finishing his playing career here then moving into a coaching role.

[Noosa Rooster]

Purely a money situation as he won't be eligible for All Black Selection if playing in France.

Under the NZR's current regulations, players plying their trade in foreign countries are unable to be selected at international level for the All Blacks.

Which to me means that the media are just hunting for headlines.

I’ll wait until the announcement comes from the club or the man himself. As in the past, we don’t lose many players that we really want to keep.

[lordteddy]

Billy Smith re signed until 2027. Seems the writing is on the wall unfortunately.

[BEC]

It’s not because suaali is going to rugby they think he should play res grade - it’s because he can’t fit in our backline as he is not a centre and behind young and tupou on the wings - not because he is heading to rugby
but yes certainly some big $$ freeing up

Exactly