‘I don’t care’: Joey Manu denies Latrell Mitchell bad blood after shocking shoulder charge

Roosters star Joey Manu has spoken about Latrell Mitchell’s horrific shoulder charge, which ended both of their 2021 seasons.

Joey Manu said the horror end to his season is water under the bridge. Photo: NRL Photos

Roosters star centre Joey Manu wants to put the controversial hit from Latrell Mitchell that ended his 2021 season behind him as he prepares to return to the field.

It was the penultimate round of the season when Mitchell sparked a major furore via a shoulder charge on his former teammate in the Rabbitohs’ 54-12 thrashing of the Roosters.

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It saw Mitchell handed a six-week ban as he missed the Rabbitohs’ grand final charge while Manu was hospitalised with cheekbone fractures requiring three metal plates inserted into his face.

It also cost the Roosters $40,000 in fines after coach Trent Robinson blasted the match officials in a wild press conference after the game.

But seven months on from the incident, Manu has moved on.

Talking to Fox Sports News, Manu said the metal plates piecing his cheekbone together were feeling alright as he prepares for the new season.

Asked how he feels about the incident, Manu said he had put it behind him.

“I’ve let it go and I’m just happy to be playing,” he said. “I played last week, playing and training, and training and just being healthy, I’m grateful with how it all turned out and I’m really happy and excited for the year.”

Joey Manu has calmed down since the incident. Photo: NRL Photos

Manu added he and Mitchell had come through the grades together and the incident wouldn’t sour their personal relationship.

“We’ve been good mates for a long time now,” Manu said. “I came over here about 17, moved over here and met him when I was young so we’ve been through the ranks and always had that good friendship. I think we’ll continue that friendship.”

Asked if they had spoken, Manu said Mitchell had messaged him straight after the game but they had mainly connected over text messages.

“I think it’ll be good to see him and talk to him in person, see how he’s going,” Manu said. “But yeah, we haven’t talked that much.”

He added that he doesn’t mind if the pair reconnect before the Roosters play Souths in round three.

“I don’t really care about the incident now, what’s done is done for me now, I’ve left it in the past,” Manu said. “I’d love to just see how he’s doing and talk to him about life and his family and how they’re going.”

It was a pretty ugly injury. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

Manu said he was in a bit of pain after the incident. Photo: supplied

The comments come after Mitchell blasted the NRL for going soft after he was handed such a huge ban.

“I don’t think I need to (change the way I play), I think the game needs to change,” he told Channel 9 last month.

When asked if big hits and aggression had gone out of the game, Mitchell responded: “I don’t know, we may as well play Oztag.

“At the end of the day, it’s a game and we have to protect our players.

“There’s a split second you can’t control and that’s how it is. That’s rugby league.

“I’ve always taken it upon myself to play the game as hard as I can and as fast I can every time I play, that’s what I do. Some people like seeing it, but some people don’t.”

Mitchell will return from his six-game ban in round two after he successfully argued to have the All-Stars match count towards his suspension.

Originally published as ‘I don’t care’: Joey Manu denies Latrell Mitchell bad blood after shocking shoulder charge