Watch: Aaron Smith sets up ex-NRL star Joseph Manu for debut try in Japan

Former Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Kiwis utility Joseph Manu has scored on debut for Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League One, with legendary All Black Aaron Smith sending the code-hopper over for a try with an inch-perfect pass against Kubota Spears.

Manu, 28, signed with the Japanese club who also have World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit on their books for the upcoming season. Ian Foster is the club’s head coach and they also have two-time Rugby World Cup winner Sir Steve Hansen.

With superstars across the board in the Japanese competition, it was always going to be intriguing to see how Manu fares in the 15-player game – although the 2022 International Rugby League Golden Boot winner insists eventually playing for the All Blacks isn’t a focus.

On the back of another strong season with the Roosters, which saw Manu break the all-time NRL record for the most running metres by an individual player in a single game with 373 in April, Manu recently made the move to Japan to embark on a new sporting journey.

Manu was named at outside centre for Toyota Verblitz’s first match of the new Japan Rugby League One season, with Rikiya Matsuda, Kosei Miki and former Scotland international Richie Gray also named to debut at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

Brave Blossoms enforcer Kazuki Himeno was named as the team’s captain at No. 8, while Smith was named as the starting halfback. They came against a Kubota side that included multiple Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall and former Wallaby Bernard Foley in the halves.

Kubota struck first on the 11-minute mark after some solid work from the forwards at a rolling maul but the conversion was unsuccessful. The Spears also went down to 14 men shortly after as winger Halatoa Vailea was shown a yellow card.

Viliame Tuidraki made the most of the advantage to score a try in the corner, with the successful conversion giving Verblitz a 7-5 lead midway through the first term. Captain Himeno scored next for Verblitz before Kubota skipper Faulua Makisi struck back.

It was 14-10 before Manu stepped up.

Joseph Manu has his first #NTT????? try of the season #rugbyjp @toyotaverblitz pic.twitter.com/LGIgke6Jdr

— Darren (@SaffasRugby) December 22, 2024

Mixed debut for Joseph Manu in Japan. Couple of strong carries and a try scored off the back of a great ball from Aaron Smith, although got subbed after being burnt a couple of times which helped get Kubota back in the game who eventually won. #rugbyjp #leagueone

— Mikey Arnam (@ArnamMikey99588) December 22, 2024

With 42 seconds until the half-time siren, Smith delivered a perfect pass onto the chest of the former NRL superstar. Manu ran a brave line past Foley; receiving the ball about two metres out from the try line – the New Zealander was always going to be tough to stop from there.

Smith was the first player to embrace Manu before the other Verblitz players rushed over to celebrate their teammate on his debut try. Rikiya Matsuda added the extras to give the men in green a well-worked 21-10 lead at the half-time interval.

But the second term was mostly controlled by Kubota.

The Spears most of the points, which included a clutch drop goal in the 83^rd minute from Foley to give them a 30-27 comeback win. Manu had been replaced at that stage as Verblitz started their division one campaign with a tough result.