NRL star puts All Blacks ambitions on ice for now

Joey-Manu-Sydney-Roosters-training-2023-Alamy

Rugby league star Joey Manu’s impending move to rugby union is an exciting one and although he admits that playing for the All Blacks is a goal, he revealed that it’s a distant one as he aims to “learn the game” first.

It was confirmed last week that the 27-year-old, who won two NRL premierships with the Sydney Roosters, would be joining Japanese club Toyota Verblitz from next season.

Manu has already made 17 appearances for New Zealand’s national team, the Kiwis, in the 13-man game and if he adapts quickly to his new code in Japan it could be a starting point for him to realise his All Blacks dream.

Must move to New Zealand to play for All Blacks

To achieve that goal, Manu will have to move to his homeland as New Zealand Rugby have a strict policy of only selecting players for the All Blacks if they ply their trade domestically.

And playing for the three-time world champions at Test level is no mean feat as only double Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have done that since the 15-man code turned professional in 1995.

What should help Manu’s development as a rugby union player is that he will be under the guidance of two former All Blacks coaches in Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, who hold the positions of director of rugby and head coach respectively at Toyota Verblitz.

Ex-All Blacks coach backs league superstar to ‘effortlessly’ switch codes after million-dollar move

Manu was eager to downplay the likelihood of him playing for the All Blacks one day and highlighted the importance of reacquainting himself with the game he last played during his school days.

“If I’m playing good then yeah (I’d love an All Blacks jersey), but that’s not the main focus, I’ve got to learn the game,” he told AAP. “I’m really happy that those two coaches are there along with Aaron Smith so I want to build off that.

“It was a personal decision and I obviously had to look for the best option.

“I felt that was what was best, talking to the coaches there, I just want to go over there and learn and develop as a rugby player.”

Tough to leave the Roosters

He revealed that he has not started taking Japanese lessons yet and admitted that it was difficult to leave the Roosters and the coaching of Trent Robinson, who has guided Manu throughout his NRL career.

“It was a tough decision, I had a lot of chats with ‘Robbo’ and how long I’ve been here… I came over here when I was 16, it’s a long while and it’s the only thing I’ve known,” Manu said.

“This place, the club, as well, I made the decision and I’m content with it and I’ve just got to enjoy every moment and make the most of my last year.”