Comment: The NRL should not fear Roosters star Joey Manu joining Japanese rugby union

The NRL would have previously blocked Joey Manu’s mooted move to play rugby union in Japan. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS explains why they should let the Roosters star give it a crack.

Joseph Manu. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The NRL should allow Joey Manu to take up a stint in Japan but with one catch – he returns to sign a long-term deal with the Roosters or another club.

The Roosters have indicated they would allow Manu to spend part of the 2025 season playing rugby before hoping he would ­return to the club to play out his career.

They won’t allow him to bounce between the two codes and nor should the NRL.

About a decade ago Benji Marshall wanted to earn extra coin during his time at Wests Tigers and play Japanese rugby.

The NRL, then under chief executive David Gallop, put a stop to any move.

Marshall was contracted with the Tigers when he first flirted with the switch and then considered it again about the time when his ­Tigers contract was expiring.

The NRL indicated it would not register Marshall’s new deal to ­return to Australia.

Time’s have changed. Back then the NRL feared rugby union and that there would be an exodus of talent doing the same.

Rugby poses no threat to the NRL - it’s why Joey Manu should be released to Japanese rugby. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

It just won’t happen.

Marshall struggled when he eventually joined Super Rugby, while fellow fleet-footed star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had an unhappy stint in the 15-man-game recently.

Manu’s move will have a long-term benefit for the Roosters too.

He could earn $2 million across both codes in 2025, which would allow the Roosters to retain the Kiwi star in the face of richer offers from rival clubs including St George Illawarra.

Roosters officials are adamant he won’t ever play against the side and they are still confident he will ink a straight contract extension for 2025 despite rugby’s interest.

By the time 2025 comes around, James Tedesco will be in the last year of his contract, and given the Roosters skipper will be 32, that could be his final season.

Benji Marshall playing for the Blues. Picture: Sandra Mu/Getty Images

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck spent time in Super Rugby. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty

That would allow Manu – three years his junior – to assume the fullback role full-time in 2026 after playing out half the season in 2025 in his customary centre spot.

The Roosters tight salary cap meant they could only offer Billy Smith a one year deal.

But they have long identified him as their long-term centre. Dom Young will be entrenched in their backline by then, while rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase will fill one outside back position in 2025, given Manu’s absence.

Robert Toia who needs a run of good luck after suffering successive long-term knee injuries is also a player the Roosters hope could fill a gap with Manu playing overseas.

Originally published as Comment: The NRL should not fear Roosters star Joey Manu joining Japanese rugby union