‘It’s just noise’: Joseph Manu focused on rugby amid constant rumours

Code-hopper Joseph Manu has been back in the headlines this week. Manu is currently in Japan with Toyota Verblitz, but the former Sydney Roosters centre has been linked with a move back to the NRL or possibly Super Rugby Pacific in the pursuit of an All Blacks jersey.

On Thursday, Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed Manu is considering requesting a release from a deal with Top 14 side Racing 92. The cross-code star is set to link up with Owen Farrell and co at the Parisian club in just a matter of months.

Transfer guru Neil Fissler had broken that story in February, with the RugbyPass writer revealing Manu was “poised to sign a one-year deal” with Racing. But the latest update out of Australia is that Manu is weighing up a release on compassionate grounds.

The rumour mill is now in full swing.

Headlines have linked the 28-year-old with a move back to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters or the New Zealand Warriors, or possibly to a Super Rugby Pacific franchise on either side of the Tasman Sea.

Manu has previously spoken about a desire to potentially represent the All Blacks down the line, and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh has also weighed in. Having represented Australia in rugby league nines at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Wallabies is another option.

But that’s all outside noise.

When asked last month about the constant rumours and discussion linking him to the All Blacks, Manu spoke quite candidly. Manu is still quite new to rugby union, and the former New Zealand Kiwis superstar is focused on the Japan Rugby League One for now.

“I’m sort of used to the noise,” Manu told RugbyPass about two weeks ago.

“Being in Sydney underneath the spotlight, you always get that stuff from the outside.

“Myself, it’s just noise for myself. I guess there was always going to be talk, you can’t avoid it. It is what it is. You’ve just got to accept it and try not to read into that stuff.

“At the end of the day, I’m a new player over here so I’ve done my thing in league and I can probably get a bit of respect from league players or some of the boys that like watching league, but I’ve done nothing in union.

“Obviously, people are going to talk. Fans, that’s what they do, that’s what’s good about the game, they talk about it a lot… I’m learning, I’m new, so I don’t worry about what people are saying.

“I think there’s people saying I wasn’t happy here a while ago and the results haven’t been the best for my team but I’m enjoying it a lot here and I feel like… it’s been a great decision and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Probably good being over in Japan too, like out of the spotlight from New Zealand, Australia. It’ll always be there… this is what I do for work, luckily. It doesn’t feel like it’s work for me, I just enjoy playing rugby, rugby league, whatever it is.”

After signing with Toyota, the two-time NRL Premiership winner donned the green strip in a star-studded side that also includes former All Black Aaron Smith. Four-time John Eales Medallist Michael Hooper has since joined the club, and even captained the side since.

Manu started at outside centre on debut in a loss to Kubota Spears to start the season, and has gone on to make another 13 appearances for the club. The 28-year-old has started in 11 of those 14 matches, and boasts a fairly strong strike rate with 10 tries to date.

Toyota are battling relegation and have four matches left to save their division one status against Black Rams, Suntory Sungoliath, Mie Honda Heat and Kubota Spears. Manu’s first full season in rugby union will soon come to an end.

“It’s definitely been a challenge. That’s what I wanted and that’s what I expected,” Manu reflected.

“Just learning a lot over here. I’ve said it before, I’ve really enjoyed my time here in Toyota and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

“To come to union has been awesome and I’m just really enjoying it. I feel like the game, you find those free moments where you can sort of just play and there’s a lot of broken plays.

“I’m just enjoying it like I said.”