NRL market watch: Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu explores short-term stint in rugby union

In-demand NRL star Joey Manu is considering a potential stint in rugby union that could land him a $1.5 million payday, in what could prove to be good news for the Sydney Roosters.

Joseph Manu could be headed on a short-term overseas deal. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Sydney Roosters superstar Joey Manu is considering a shock code switch for a stint in rugby union which could land him a $1.5 million payday.

It is understood Manu has explored options to play rugby overseas — potentially in Japan — when his deal with the Roosters expires at the end of the 2024 NRL season.

The move to rugby could be as short as one season with Manu able to pocket more than $1.5 million a season to play in Japan.

The mini-stint abroad would then allow Manu to return to the Roosters, who are locked in discussions with the former Golden Boot winner about a multi-year contract extension.

They are aware of Manu’s rugby flirtation and are comfortable that, regardless, Manu will remain at the Bondi club long term. It just depends whether that includes a short-term move overseas.

Joseph Manu could play two codes in 2025. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The Roosters are unable to match the money Manu could earn, not only in rugby union, but on the open market in the NRL.

St George Illawarra would be prepared to offer Manu about $1.3 million a season, but he has given no indication that he would be prepared to join a rival club and play against the Roosters, the club he debuted for as a 19-year-old in 2016.

The Japanese rugby season runs between December and May, meaning Manu would miss at least the first 10 rounds of the Roosters’ campaign. However, Manu could return midway through 2025 and earn up to $2 million for a year’s work between the two codes.

The NRL would need to sign off on any contract and have previously been lukewarm to players switching between codes on short-term contracts, as it could be seen as circumventing the salary cap.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall once tried to undertake a similar deal a decade ago when he was one the highest-profile players in the game but that was quashed before it got off the ground.

Benji Marshall played Super Rugby, but the NRL blocked a short-term Japanese stint. Picture: Sandra Mu/Getty Images

The difference though, was that Marshall was mid-contract at the Tigers and Manu, is off-contract, so he is technically free to do as he pleases.

However, the NRL may not register Manu’s new Roosters deal until he returned from playing overseas.

The Roosters are in the midst of their own tit-for-tat battle with rugby union. They have signed Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase on a two-year contract from 2025, but they will lose Joseph Sua’ali’i at the end of next year.

Emerging back-rower Siua Wong had interest from rugby before inking a new deal to remain at the Roosters until 2026. The Roosters have also re-signed Nat Butcher, Sitili Tupouniua, Connor Watson and Naufahu Whyte in recent months.

Aside from Manu, Angus Crichton, Billy Smith, Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary and Terrell May are off-contract at the end of 2024.

NRL players have had mixed results playing rugby in Japan. Manu’s former Roosters teammate Blake Ferguson was sacked before he even stepped foot on the field by NEC Green Rockets after being arrested for drug possession in 2022.

Covid-19 interrupted Will Chambers’ and Jordan Rapana’s respective stints in Japan.

Originally published as NRL market watch: Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu explores short-term stint in rugby union