Few people know how Sam Walker feels at the moment better than Joseph Manu.
The reigning Golden Boot holder suffered the same fate as his Roosters teammate back in 2017, and in the sheds after the Chooks’s 27-26 Anzac Day victory over the Dragons, revealed that he had spoken to Walker about his demotion.
“It’s tough for Sammy,” said Manu. “But he’s a kid that’s going to work on what he needs to work on and he’ll be back soon. I’ve been playing next to him for a while so I want to see him back in there and I’ll always support him and help him out with what he needs.”
He added that the experience of playing reserve grade had done him good in the long run, even though it meant missing the 2017 finals series after playing in 16 games that year.
Instead of playing the NRL finals, Manu went all the way to the NSW Cup Grand Final with Wyong in a team that featured current teammates Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher and Paul Momirovski, eventually losing to a Panthers team with Jarome Luai, Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo and Moses Leota in their ranks.
“I learned a lot there,” he said of his time at Wyong.
“Missing the finals was pretty tough, I wanted to be a part of that. I had a good run after that but I feel like every time I pull on the jersey I don’t take it for granted.
“You have to turn up every game. I learned a lot and Sammy will learn a lot too, he’ll come back a better player.”
Now, Manu is looking to cement his place in a spine with Luke Keary back at halfback – in Walker’s place – as well as new recuit Brandon Smith and captain James Tedesco.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot to learn in the 6 jersey, building those combos with Kez, Brandon and Teddy,” he said.
“But it was OK. It was a good to start. A lot to improve on. I’m anywhere, as long as I’m out there, but I did enjoy it out there in the 6.
“Hopefully I can get a few more games out there and I’ll get better each game. There’s a lot to learn. Once I hopefully string a few consistent games together, I feel like it’ll get better.
Manu has deputised at 6 before, but never for a consistent run of games. His longest stint in the spine has been at fullback when Tedesco has played Origin, as well as for New Zealand.
“Similar to fullback, you get that roaming style,” said of playing five eighth. “It’s not much different. It was nice to play on both sides and connect with different players on different edges.
The Roosters pay their respect during the Anzac Day ceremony. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“You get a lot more ball at 6. When you get named at centre, sometimes you have to find your way into the game but when you’re named at 6 you’re already in the game and then it’s how you play it.
“You’re always in the game and then you play your style on top of it. Whenever I get the ball I feel good so the more times I get my hands on the ball, the better.
“I felt like we were playing pretty well in attack. Our defence needs a lot of improvement but it felt fast and there was a lot of boys wanting the ball. I was running on the back of great carries and fast ruck speed. That’s what we like, to play that Roosters style.
“It’s a bit different with not many yardage carries, but a lot of yardage support. Then when you get down to good ball, you get to play footy.”
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