Joseph Manu in Rugby Australia’s sights for historic British & Irish Lions series

Rugby-bound Roosters superstar Joseph Manu could play in the biggest rugby series of 2025, with a potential start against the British & Irish Lions just months after debuting in the sport.

Rugby-bound Roosters star Joey Manu could face the British and Irish Lions. Picture: NRL Photos

Joseph Manu could find himself doing what most All Blacks and Wallabies players never get the chance to – play against the British & Irish Lions.

Code Sport can reveal Rugby Australia will explore the option of including the NRL superstar in their Invitational Australia and New Zealand team to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on July 12 next year.

Manu, who is leaving the Sydney Roosters to join Japanese Top League club Toyota Verblitz, could play in the most iconic rugby tour on the rugby calendar in his first year in the sport.

Joseph Manu is touted as a potential starter for a Rugby Australia invitational side to take on the Lions. Picture: NRL PHOTO

RA will also look at All Black legends Sam Cane, Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick to form a star-studded team to take on the Lions and dent the tourists’ confidence seven days before their first Test against the Wallabies.

Informed sources said Manu has been discussed as an option.

Overseas-based players of national interest to the Wallabies, such as Will Skelton, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete, are unlikely to be considered for the Invitational side as they would be in the mix for Joe Schmidt’s Test team.

And New Zealand Rugby are unlikely to release contracted superstars because they’re hosting France at the same time.

But players who make themselves available for the Invitational side can expect to pocket around $10,000 each and feature in the biggest rugby series of 2025.

For some of the All Blacks contenders, it would also present a chance for redemption after their controversial drawn series against the Lions in 2017.

Brodie Retallick in action for the All Blacks when they faced the British & Irish Lions in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

Aaron Smith also had the opportunity to represent the All Blacks against the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Getty Images

RA remained coy on their targets for the Invitational team when asked directly by Code Sport.

“We’re a long way out to be speculating on who may or may be included in the AUNZ XV team to play the Lions next year,” an RA spokesman said.

“As the Wallabies and All Blacks will be playing or in camp at that time, it’s safe to assume that we would be looking for players from Australia and New Zealand that are not part of their programs.

“That could include recently retired Wallabies and All Blacks, and players based in other markets, such as Japan.”

The first release of tickets for the match at Adelaide Oval sold out within hours, well before the public had any idea who might feature for the Invitational side.

Joseph Manu is a massive get for rugby, and will bring plenty of eyeballs to the game. Picture: Getty Images

Manu, 27, would no doubt bring many more eyeballs to the game.

Given Japanese and French club tournaments would be in between seasons during this time, RA would simply need an agreement from the clubs for the players to get approval to play, and sort the injury insurance for them.

This happens each year with the Barbarians invitational side that regularly features Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks players.

Just this week, All Blacks captain Cane revealed he would be retiring from international rugby at the end of the season, but would continue to play for Tokyo Sungoliath beyond 2025.

That means he won’t be contracted to NZ Rugby next year and would be available.

New Zealand's openside flanker and captain Sam Cane is expected to be part of the invitational team. Picture: AFP

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who has retired from Tests but is now playing on the World Series Sevens circuit in the hopes of playing at the Paris Olympics, would be another ideal target should he wish to pull the boots on once more next year.

Possible Invitational Australia-New Zealand team for the British & Irish Lions series

15. Tom Banks

14. Joseph Manu

13. Charles Piutau

12. Ngani Laumape

11. Curtis Rona

10. Quade Cooper

9. Aaron Smith

8. Sean McMahon

7. Michael Hooper/Liam Gill

6. Sam Cane

5. Rory Arnold

4. Brodie Retallick

3. Sekope Kepu

2. Dane Coles

1. Scott Sio