“I grew up taking part in rugby but it surely’s actually only a case of all choices and that was one which was tossed up.
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“I’ve been on the Roosters for 10 years now. It’s been a very long time and I like the place. That makes it very onerous to go away however we’ll see what occurs.”
Manu’s standing because the NRL’s finest centre, in addition to an elite fullback and useful five-eighth, prompted Shane Flanagan to publicly goal him as the muse of his Dragons rebuild.
St George Illawarra have been prepared to spend round $1.2 million a season throughout a four-year deal to lure Manu out of crimson, white and blue, however their curiosity has by no means progressed past that.
Manu has made clear he has no intention of taking part in towards Trent Robinson’s facet. In 2021 the Golden Boot winner held talks with Tremendous Rugby’s Waikato Chiefs earlier than re-signing with the Roosters, and as soon as once more rugby is the one competitors for his companies.
“I don’t need to play towards them in any respect. In no way. What the membership’s completed for me over my profession, I couldn’t try this,” Manu stated.
Manu has little interest in taking part in towards the Roosters.Credit score: Getty
“I admire all that assist an excessive amount of and I’ve loved my time. I’d like to remain, that’s the precedence and we’ll see what occurs with the opposite choices.
“Robbo’s very open, he’s an excellent man and he simply needs what’s finest for you. I need the very best for myself and my household, and the Roosters too.
“No matter occurs, it needs to be good for everybody, so we had these open conversations and now it’s as much as my supervisor. [Rugby] continues to be simply an possibility at this stage. However I’m on the level the place it’s time to take a look at these choices in each codes. I performed each codes rising up.
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“And when it comes to rugby league, I need to be a Rooster. That’s the place my head is at and taking part in rugby league is what I’m specializing in.”
That features a starring function in doubtlessly the tallest again line on file, with Dominic Younger (200cm), Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii (196cm) all shading Manu, who stands at 192cm.
Robinson has repeatedly given Manu a roving remit to maximise his expertise given James Tedesco is entrenched at fullback, and Manu has focused these involvements, in addition to his defensive choices, as his largest areas for enchancment in 2024.
“Defensively is the place I need to get higher,” Manu stated. “I really feel like there’s lots of enchancment in me on an edge, and as a participant in that a part of the group. There’s one other step there for me when it comes to my finest, chasing these moments in video games.
“Teddy is that participant for us who can break a sport proper open. I need to assist him out with that, take that stress off him. I need that to be my function.”
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