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Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh says RA would have “an open mind” if Joey Manu was interested in pursuing a Wallabies jersey.
The Kiwi code-hopper reportedly wants to back out of a deal to play rugby in France to return Down Under for compassionate reasons.
Manu has ambitions to play for the All Blacks, while a return to the NRL has also been touted as a possibility – but the ex-Sydney Roosters player would also qualify for the Wallabies because of the length of time he’s lived in Australia if he joined a Super Rugby outfit.
In response to a question about Manu, who is close friends with fellow code hopper Joseph- Aukuso Suaalii, Waugh said he was unaware of any conversations around the Japan-based star but added “I think that what we’ve seen with Joseph [Suaalii] and the impact he’s had off the field, but also culturally how he’s fitted into the environment seamlessly, I think that we’ve always got an open mind.
“We need the best athletes in the world playing our game and playing for the Wallabies, and if there are opportunities like that, then we’d always have an open mind.”
Manu is a candidate to be called up for the AUNZ XV exhibition match against the British and Irish Lions on July 12 in Adelaide.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
“We’re working through that,” Waugh said.
“We want to make that a real spectacle for rugby, and I think that the great element of Joe [Schmidt] knowing Andy [Farrell] so well is that they’re both committed to making it an exhibition of rugby, the entire series, and so when we think about the selection of that team, it’s about how do we get the right mix of Australians and New Zealanders, and then get as many high-profile players as we possibly can to make it a real exhibition game, and a game that everyone wants to engage with. It’s only a week out from the first Test, so it’s going to be a meaningful match leading into it.”
The Sydney Morning Herald cited an unnamed source on Thursday suggesting Manu was “considering asking for a release” from his French rugby contract.
Manu joined Japanese rugby team Toyota Verblitz this season after leaving the Roosters and then signed with Racing 92, while Stuart Lancaster – the Wallabies-linked coach – was still at the club.
Lancaster has since left, with Racing 92 in a relegation fight.
If Manu, 28, is able to secure a release he would have plenty of suitors in both forms of rugby.
While an NRL return would be possible – and he could join a team for the rest of this season if a release is secured before June 30 – he has also expressed interest in trying to break into the All Blacks via Super Rugby.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George told the Herald he was unaware of Manu’s situation.
“The Warriors have had no discussions in respect to Joey Manu’s future, but of course if Joey Manu was to become available we would definitely sit down with his management,” George said. “To this date, we’ve had none whatsoever.”
The Herald said Manu left the Roosters on good terms but it was unclear if his preference was to return to Sydney or his homeland of New Zealand.
Joseph Manu. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The Roosters would have financial limitations on what they could offer him if he wanted to return to the Tricolours while the Warriors have salary cap space due to the retirement of skipper Tohu Harris in pre-season.
“I had no idea about it at all, so that’s the first thing. Joey, this is his home, it always has been,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“But I’m sure he’s got a plan. If he’s asked for a release, then he’d have a plan on what he wants to do, and that’s not going to be us.
“He doesn’t owe us anything. We’ve spent a lot of time together. There’s obviously a professional relationship with the Roosters and also a lot of care for his family.
“I don’t know if it’s true, I’ve heard it reported. But until Joey tells me, then I won’t be interested in why he doesn’t want to go to France.”
The Warriors could have an opening in the No.1 jersey from next season, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad linked to a potential shift to the Super League next year.
Manu told The Daily Telegraph last year that he had no interest in returning to New Zealand to play in Super Rugby at the end of his one-year contract in Japan. The All Blacks can not select players based overseas, except in the case of approved sabbaticals.
“Playing for the All Blacks is always something I wanted to do but it makes it a little bit harder by playing overseas. You have to go back to New Zealand to play and the Super Rugby comp hasn’t really interested me at the moment.
“It’s not really exciting for me. I want to go overseas, Japan, and experience a new life. Playing for the All Blacks straight away, I’d love to do that but going back to New Zealand right now isn’t really a priority of mine.
“Hopefully they change the rules. I want to do a bit of time in union. I want to do a few things there first, learning the game. It won’t be easy and will take a while to really do what I want to do.”
Warriors coach Andrew Webster on Thursday told reporters that he wants Nicoll-Klokstad and veteran playmaker Te Maire Martin to stay until the end of the season amid talk they will both head to the Super League.
“We think they have a big part to play in our club and we don’t want them to be wearing a jersey elsewhere,” Webster said.
“But we have to wait and keep talking through that as we go.
“No plans for them to leave part way through (the season) at all.”