The Sydney Roosters are bracing themselves for the departure of one of their biggest stars with Kiwi international Joey Manu set to leave the club at the end of the year to take up a deal in rugby union.
According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, the centre has informed the club that he will likely leave, though no deal has been signed elsewhere.
The same morning that the news broke, however, the Roosters announced an extension for Billy Smith, the centre who would be top of the list to replace Manu if he departs.
Smith has struggled with injuries over the last few years but cemented a place in the starting line-up late last year and will be in the mix again in 2024.
He has signed a three-year extension and will remain at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.
“I’ve often spoken about how grateful I am any chance I get to represent the Sydney Roosters and to know that I’m going to be here for at least another three years is something I’m stoked about,” he said.
“The Club has always had a lot of belief in me, and I know that my best footy is still ahead of me. I can’t wait for what’s to come and I’m looking forward to continuing to play my role for the team.”
Manu has no shortage of offers, but is thought to prefer Europe over Japan, and would be expected to command far more than the $800,000 he could earn at the Roosters due to salary cap constraints.
Manu was also coveted by other NRL clubs – notably the Dragons – and had been linked with a short-term switch to Japan, but is now expected to leave entirely, though if he returns to rugby league in the future, he has informed the Roosters that it will only be to play for them.
Speaking earlier in the week to the Herald, Manu expressed an interest in switching codes. “It’s an option, I think rugby is a challenge,” the former Golden Boot 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.”
Joseph Manu. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
If he leaves, he will be the second major departure to rugby union in recent years after winger – and Manu’s great mate – Joseph Suaalii, who will link up with the Waratahs and Wallabies at the end of this year.
The Roosters’ salary cap situation is complex, making a more competitive deal for Manu more difficult, as is his career progression.
James Tedesco is locked in until the end of 2025 at the earliest, taking up significant cash as well as the captaincy and starting fullback role that Manu, who won a Golden Boot wearing the 1 for New Zealand, would likely take over should Teddy retire.
Luke Keary is also set to extend for another year, taking him until the end of 2025, when it had previosuly been expected that he would retire following a series of head knocks.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
He bought his contract out so he could return any time he wanted with no contract issues.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sadly Maxtruck Ive seen plenty of horrible things happen at league games.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I dont understand what you are trying to say mate. Union had 850million viewers in 2019 in Japan and 1.3 Billion for the French WC last year.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Conrad smith was 35 and Nonu 34 when they retired from test rugby with 2 WC winners medals around their necks. Go look at SA's test player age then stop your garbage around 27 being too old to play Union. How old was Sexton? How old was the Wallabies? Youngest ever at a WC from them and they failed badly.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You are aware he played Union as a Junior arnt you? No need to learn the game just bring back the memories. No one can win with you tho as usually you are saying Union players should head OS and earn more money but 1 does it and you suddenly have a different perspective. NRL cant match UK Union prices or Japanese Union prices.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Nah they would sack a Union player for that. That may work for NRL players but not Union guys.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Oh that must be it. It has to be that those French clubs havnt even seen him play anything yet are offerring him 1.2mil site unseen.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Union and Kiwis. his two biggest hates.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
What a silly comment. Many reach their peak at mid to late 20s.
the outsider
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure Topou has a peak
Bernie
Roar Rookie
player power mate. Latrell plays where Latrell wants, although with C.Graham out a move back to centre would make sense.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
i cant see 27 in the rear view mirror anymore.... seriously though, why cant Joey just go and play wherever he wants? if he wants to go play backyard rugby, go for your life. gotta be better than some backwater A-league selling me off to Acvtyrhenbdi FC.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
yep, agreed, thats why i put the italics on "elite ... ", like most things to do with coaches it plays out in the media first.
Nat
Roar Guru
Not low, non existent - for the moment at least. If, in time, he does prove to be good enough and the ABs, via a NZR club do reach out to him than obviously they see enough to warrant that decision. Much like the French club, when the goal is winning you get the best players no matter what they professional background may have come from. These guys are professional athletes, it's their job. They don't need your burning desire for a club/code to be able to play for them. That's pretty old school thinking and TBH it does come off as sour grapes on your behalf that they can change at a whim and be welcomed.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
It must be very low to wait until now anyway. But why does change mean move to France? He can't seriously care about the rugby he'd play there. If he wants change he could go to another NRL club or an English league club.
Tony
Roar Guru
I'll stay in my cave then
Nat
Roar Guru
The point is that he wanted to change and his club will benefit massively from it. Have you considered that paying for the ABs isn’t high on his agenda? He wouldn’t be going to France if it was.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
He sucked at 5/8. As did Mitchell when they tried him there those years ago. So it would only be centre or fullback. ( Not so sure that Mitchell doesn’t also suck at fullback, which should have him back in the centres ? ).
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I gather they're now considered to be almost angelic compared to the real estate industry.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Used & New Car Salesman will be most disappointed that their number 1 position has been taken.