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'Pretty keen to talk': Ian Foster open to Joseph Manu code switch
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says he is “pretty keen” to begin talks with NRL star Joseph Manu about a cross-code switch to rugby union.
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Manu has become the subject of potential move to the XV-man game as reports out of Australia have linked the Sydney Roosters centre with New Zealand Rugby [NZR].
The 25-year-old, who has played five tests for the Kiwis, is off-contract with the Roosters on November 1 and is reportedly being eyed up by numerous rugby league clubs, including the New Zealand Warriors.
The Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans are also believed to be interested in signing Manu, but NZR are thought to be serious contenders to acquire the New Zealand-born product’s signature.
Now Foster has weighed in on the matter as he told reporters on Thursday that he is open to talking to Manu about a move to rugby union.
“I’m a Tokoroa man, he’s a Tokoroa man, he might as well come back and try,” Foster said when asked about reports linking Manu to a cross-code switch.
“He’s a quality league player and, like always happens at times like this, it’s really up to the player to figure out where his dream is.
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“It’s not up to us to persuade or coerce, and so, really, if he wants to play rugby, then I guess we’re pretty keen to talk.”
Manu would add to a long list of cross-code athletes who have flitted between rugby league and rugby union, with the most recent high-profile star being new Auckland and Blues star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
While he is yet to make his professional rugby union debut, Tuivasa-Sheck is widely tipped to feature for the All Blacks, but Foster is wary of the transition process for rugby league players given the different nuances of the two sports.
“Making sure they know the game, that’s number one,” Foster said of the challenges that face rugby league players who come to rugby union.
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“The complexities of our game versus the complexities of league, it is a different game with a number of similar skill sets.”
It might be a good thing that 20-minute red cards have been introduced for the Rugby Championship ? #NZLvAUS #AllBlacks #Wallabieshttps://t.co/Z0zMK8jnB3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2021
Manu would face similar challenges, but the two-time NRL Premiership winner’s desire to succeed in rugby union has been documented, as he told the Sydney Morning Herald two years ago that he harbours aspirations play for the All Blacks.
“Ever since I was young I wanted to be an All Black,” Manu said in 2019.
“I’m still a big fan of them, especially when it comes to World Cups. It’s a pretty big occasion for pretty much all New Zealanders. I love [watching] at the moment, but one day, I would love to play for them.”
According to the Daily Telegraph, NZR are able to offer Manu a deal worth $600,000 per season, which includes a Super Rugby contract, but it is understood the national union is yet to approach the 1.92m, 98kg powerhouse.
By comparison, it is believed Manu could command up to $1 million per year in the NRL, which is where Roosters head coach Trent Robinson is eager for his star man to stay.
For the first time, Samisoni Taukei’aho will have plenty of notice that he’ll be playing a test match in the upcoming weekend – and that’s just added to the nerves. #AllBlacks #NZLvAUShttps://t.co/P7t0ER4Nw2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2021
“There’s no concerns there in that sense,” Robinson said when asked about the similarities between the defection of Tuivasa-Sheck, an ex-Rooster, to union and the possible loss of Manu to rugby union.
“There’s obviously lessons learned in how that went about, but that’s life. Joey is a different guy to Roger as well. He’s been here for much longer as well. Roger was only here for a couple of years before he left whereas Joey’s been here a long long time now.
“Joey’s always been important to us. Ever since he was a kid and came over here you can see what he means to us as a team.
“He’s been a Rooster, he is a Rooster, and his family are Roosters as well, so we understand. It’d be mad if there wasn’t interest, but we definitely want to keep him as a Rooster.”
However, given Manu’s impressive form and his status as one of the NRL’s hottest properties, his $1 million price tag may force a move elsewhere if the star-studded Roosters are to stay under the salary cap.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments