Joey Manu
Sydney Roosters fans should be thanking Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for helping bring Joey Manu to Bondi Junction.
These two talented Kiwis were set to face off on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium, marking a significant moment in their rugby league journeys, but unfortunately, RTS is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Tuivasa-Sheck, who played on the wing during the Roosters’ 2013 premiership win, joined the Warriors in 2016, switched to Super Rugby in 2022, and after playing three Tests for the All Blacks, returned to the Warriors this year. Last year, on Monty Betham’s Once A Warrior podcast, RTS revealed how the Warriors used clips of Manu’s play to illustrate their vision for him, which played a part in his decision.
It turns out, RTS’s influence extends further back. In 2011, at the national secondary schools rugby league tournament in Auckland, scouts were primarily there to see Tuivasa-Sheck, who was starring for Otahuhu College. Meanwhile, a young Joey Manu was a reserve for Tokoroa High School. When Manu got his chance to play, he impressed enough to catch the eye of a scout focused on RTS, leading to his eventual signing with the Roosters.
Manu reminisced about his first encounter with Tuivasa-Sheck’s talent and how it inspired him. He also recalled how the Roosters’ interest seemed almost unreal until the contract arrived, solidifying his path to Sydney.
Manu’s move to the Roosters, facilitated by RTS’s prominence, led to a successful career where he won two premierships and became a fan favorite. As Manu prepares to switch to rugby, aiming for the 2027 World Cup, his journey with the Roosters highlights the unexpected ways paths can intersect in sports.
The story of RTS and Manu is a testament to how one player’s impact can ripple through the careers of others, ultimately shaping the future of the teams they touch.
