Joey Manu has informed the Sydney Roosters of his likely departure from the club at the end of the season, as he evaluates lucrative offers from both French and Japanese rugby clubs.
Although Manu has yet to finalize a contract with any rugby union club, the Roosters have internally accepted the likelihood of losing him after the 2024 season unless there is a significant change of heart.
Manu and his management have engaged in discussions with the Roosters regarding his future, considering offers of up to €700,000 ($1.157 million) annually in France. While offers from Japan are also on the table, sources indicate Manu is leaning towards a European opportunity.
Financial constraints limit the Roosters’ ability to match such offers, with their maximum offer to Manu being around $800,000 per season. Additionally, the club already has captain James Tedesco under contract until the end of 2025.
Manu has expressed his reluctance to play for another NRL club but is eager to explore new challenges. He has assured the Roosters that if he were to return to the NRL, he would only do so with them.
Manu discussed his sincere interest in switching codes during a conversation with this publication on Monday, distancing himself from the idea of a brief stint in overseas rugby with a potential mid-season return to the Roosters.
“It’s an option, I think rugby is a challenge,” Manu remarked. “If I go to play rugby, I’m focused on rugby, not on coming back. You could probably go there and come back, but the focus isn’t really going there to just play for a few months and come back. It’s not really that. I grew up playing rugby but it’s really just a case of looking at all options and that was one that was tossed up.
“I’ve been at the Roosters for 10 years now. It’s been a long time and I love the place. That makes it very hard to leave but we’ll see what happens.”
Despite attempts to reach Manu’s manager Peter Brown for comment, there was no response, while the Roosters declined to provide a statement.
In related news, the Roosters are set to extend Luke Keary’s career by another season, securing a deal to retain him at the club until at least the end of 2025.
Speculation had circulated over the past year that Keary was considering retirement due to a series of head injuries in recent seasons. However, the premiership-winning player has expressed his desire to continue playing, agreeing with the club to assess his future on a year-by-year basis, with plans to play on in 2025.
This news provides a significant boost for the Roosters ahead of the upcoming season, commencing with a match against the Brisbane Broncos in Las Vegas on March 3.
The 32-year-old Keary will continue to mentor young halfback Sam Walker, who faced scrutiny last year after being demoted to NSW Cup by coach Trent Robinson during the season. Keary’s astute rugby league intelligence has led the Roosters to swiftly extend his contract.
