Manu to Return

[A Country Member]

The last time the club parachuted in a player was Sonny in 2020. He played 5 games and we got bundled out by Canberra at the SCG in the semi.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Not getting the ball and being unsure of his position should be situation normal for poor old Manu.

[Mickie Lane]

If the Chooks can fit him in under the cap & keep Marky, Toia & Smith then yes from me.

[ism22]

Hypothetically if Toia and Mark N are killing it at centre during the year...or even Billy, who makes way?

Teddy potentially... 32, has achieved everything in the game and is being disrespected by the media / selectors.

Love the guy and he's still got the goods but surely that's a serious succession plan? Earn $$$ in yawnion, give Teddy the respect he deserves to choose his timing (like JWH and Cam Smith - no shame when the time is right) and give Manu a good 4-5 years at FB (maybe cap'n).

Latrell was picked to be the better of the two. Manu sat it out patiently, honed his skills and is still yet to peak. After some fun in Japan earning $$$ (while the yen's low - keep that money banked away for a few years to double it) he can comfortably play for ~$850k a season, giving us the room we need to win a premiership.

It's happening!!! Manu = last laugh against Latrell, with Bennaaaaw holding his hand and protecting him like the Darius Boyd he never had.

[roosterproud]

Players get injured at training and during the game day warm up. You increase the risk of injury by playing soft as your timing, technique and physicality is compromised so I disagree that Manu was playing it safe for his RU gig.

The Rugby thing for Manu isn't about money. If it were then you'd think he'd milk it for as long as possible. It's a challenge, a change of scenery and an opportunity to experience a new way of life!

If there were issues with May then he was moved on for the betterment of the club and not just J Manu.

yeh it is about the money. Joey went over there to go back and play a game he once played, and enjoyed. Like i said 6 or 8 months ago he is filling his nest egg. Joey bought a nice house up here on the gold coast and needs to off set its cost. a great injection is the 1.5mill he gets from Jap Rugby. Joey will be back and he will be playing for 2 more years (more than likely at full back). he left for the $$ and to have the fullback spot. His retirement will be being part of the qld development at ipswich and south east qld

[HunchoRooster]

I don't see Teddy retiring anytime soon. He seems like the sort of bloke that will need to be tapped on the shoulder because he's just go go go and uber competitive. At the moment he is far away from needing the tap on the shoulder I still think he's right up there as best fullback in the game and I don't think Edwards is better than him.

With that in mind, I don't think Manu will be playing fullback anytime soon either.

Some of the comments on here surprise me. I'd consider Joey a bonafide club legend but he's copping a bit of flak. Everyone entitled to their opinions. I think if anything it's just showing how indifferent his form has been the last couple of seasons.

[Teddy]

Welcome back Joey, hopefully common sense prevails and he comes straight back, club legend, X factor one of my club faves and a total gentleman.
I do agree with previous comments he was poor last season for whatever reason, however 2points that I would make abundantly clear to him if he does return.
1. Will have to earn his spot if we have settled centres and they’re going great he will need to be patient and work his way back in.
2. The fullback spot is Teddy’s if you come back you will only do so as cover/backup.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Welcome back Joey, hopefully common sense prevails and he comes straight back, club legend, X factor one of my club faves and a total gentleman.
I do agree with previous comments he was poor last season for whatever reason, however 2points that I would make abundantly clear to him if he does return.
1. Will have to earn his spot if we have settled centres and they’re going great he will need to be patient and work his way back in.
2. The fullback spot is Teddy’s if you come back you will only do so as cover/backup.

very well said

[dice]

Fans saying "Manu was poor last year" reminds me of when the same thing was said about SBW many years ago. If an impact player is marked out of the game, then naturally it creates space for teammates around them. The stats will no longer show the importance of that player to the team, but with a little understanding there should be no discussion regarding the value of that player, or whether one of the best centres in the world needs to "earn his spot" ahead of some rookie.

[Bates]

Fans saying "Manu was poor last year" reminds me of when the same thing was said about SBW many years ago. If an impact player is marked out of the game, then naturally it creates space for teammates around them. The stats will no longer show the importance of that player to the team, but with a little understanding there should be no discussion regarding the value of that player, or whether one of the best centres in the world needs to "earn his spot" ahead of some rookie.

It's not soccer where a player can be marked out of a game.

Manu looked disinterested! His appetite for the game had changed imo. A player of Manu's calibre will always make a positive impact if their heads in the game.

Agree that he should start at right centre if he returns.

[dice]

It's not soccer where a player can be marked out of a game.

Manu looked disinterested! His appetite for the game had changed imo. A player of Manu's calibre will always make a positive impact if their heads in the game.

Agree that he should start at right centre if he returns.

Is it not possible to throw additional defenders in to tackle players known for scoring individual tries? How many times were Manu and Sitili held up short of the line last year compared to previous years?

Roosters adjusted their attack and ended up topping the point scoring stats. Too simplistic to say Manu was poor.

[Bates]

Is it not possible to throw additional defenders in to tackle players known for scoring individual tries? How many times were Manu and Sitili held up short of the line last year compared to previous years?

Roosters adjusted their attack and ended up topping the point scoring stats. Too simplistic to say Manu was poor.

How would you rate Manu's season compared to his previous years?

[dice]

How would you rate Manu's season compared to his previous years?

The same as what I said when everyone was bagging SBW, and what I implied above. Manu is of the same value to the team. The defensive holes the opposition teams are attempting to plug in the centres are creating holes elsewhere in the defensive line.

[Vasco]

Welcome back Joey, hopefully common sense prevails and he comes straight back, club legend, X factor one of my club faves and a total gentleman.
I do agree with previous comments he was poor last season for whatever reason, however 2points that I would make abundantly clear to him if he does return.
1. Will have to earn his spot if we have settled centres and they’re going great he will need to be patient and work his way back in.
2. The fullback spot is Teddy’s if you come back you will only do so as cover/backup.

Mate if Manu comes back he ain't playing at Wentworth Park to impress selectors.

[ism22]

Mate if Manu comes back he ain't playing at Wentworth Park to impress selectors.

Thanks for the clarification. I assumed he'd be playing yawnion down at Woollahra Oval for a season or two (maybe 2nd or 3rd grade) while hoping to get spotted.

Crazy to think he might actually be capable of playing professional footy