Joey Manu confirms he will leave NRL and Sydney Roosters to join Japanese rugby union’s Toyota Verblitz

Joey Manu will go away the Sydney Roosters in 2025 after signing a year-long cope with Japanese rugby union aspect Toyota Verblitz.

Manu’s exit has been on the playing cards for months with the Roosters and Verblitz, who boast former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen amongst their workers, lastly confirming the transfer on Tuesday.

The New Zealand worldwide will go away the Tricolours on the finish of the 2024 NRL season, concurrently Wallabies flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase is ready to affix the workforce.

“I’ve cherished my time taking part in rugby league for the Roosters, so it has been a troublesome resolution to go away the membership and NRL,” Manu stated.

“I’ll at all times be grateful to put on the Roosters jersey and to everybody who has supported me and offered me with some unimaginable alternatives.”

All Blacks fly half Beauden Barrett and Springboks big Pieter-Steph du Toit are additionally on the Verblitz squad.

Hansen stated the membership sees Manu as a fullback, winger or centre, including his “nice abilities and powerful work ethic” ought to make for a “easy transition” to union.

“I imagine we will make the transition. Additionally, his talent set lends itself nicely to our type of play and the rugby league he at the moment performs,” Hansen stated.

Manu was named the Dally M centre of the yr for the Roosters in 2022 and gained the Golden Boot award as one of the best participant in worldwide rugby league, whereas taking part in fullback for New Zealand.

He has additionally performed five-eighth for the Bondi membership, the place he made his NRL debut in 2016.

Nonetheless solely 27 years outdated, Manu boasts two premierships, in 2018 and 2019, in his 164 video games for the membership.

“Joey has been open about his need to expertise the problem of residing abroad together with his younger household, and of taking part in in a special surroundings, so whereas we’re unhappy to see him go, we absolutely help him,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson stated.

“Joey will at all times be a Rooster. He’s very clear on what he desires to attain this season and we stay up for sharing the yr forward.”

Manu is the second Rooster in simply over a yr to announce plans to go away the league for a shot within the 15-a-side recreation, with Joseph Aukuso Sua’ali’i set to take up a profitable cope with Rugby Australia from subsequent season.

ABC/AAP