Joey Manu explores 'Sonny Bill Williams-like move' to rugby union

Joey Manu's future has taken a fresh turn after a bombshell report emerged that he is contemplating a move to rugby union. The Roosters star is one of more than 150 players who are free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2025 and beyond as they come off contract in 2024.

The Dragons have already moved to offer Manu a massive $1.2 million per season over four years to lure him away from the Roosters, in a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the NRL. The Roosters, however, are desperate to keep him and have been in negotiations with Manu's management about a long-term deal for several months but are yet to strike a deal.

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And now a third option has emerged with The Daily Telegraph reporting that Manu is weighing up a shock code switch to Japanese rugby in a "Sonny Bill Williams-like move". According to the report, Manu would earn up to $1.5 million per season if he joined the 15-man code.

The scenario floated would see Manu leave at the end of 2024 to play with a Japanese club for one season before returning to the tri colours in May for the second half of the 2025 NRL season. That deal would result in Manu collecting more than $2 million in 2025 alone.

In 2012 Williams made a similar move, signing a 12-match $800,000 deal with Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights. He then made a sensational mid-season move to the Roosters, where he played in 45 games for the club from 2013 to 2014.

The NRL, however, would also need to sign off on re-registering Manu mid-season and it would be contingent on the league finding his Roosters contract to not be in breach of salary cap conditions. The rugby switch would likely all but end the Dragons' hopes of landing the Roosters star, with their pitch to Manu revolving around making him one of the highest-paid players in the NRL, something the Roosters are unable to compete with.

Shane Flanagan admits chances of luring Joey Manu to the Dragons are slim

Shane Flanagan has already missed out on the services of Addin Fonua-Blake and UK sensation Jack Grimsby this year and admits that luring Manu to the club is a bit of a long shot. In an attempt to entice him to leave the Roosters, the Dragons coach has promised Manu the fullback spot and even floated the idea of offering him a captaincy role.

“I love Joey Manu, he’s been one of my favourite players for many, many years,” Flanagan previously said. “I'm really, really doubtful he’ll leave the Roosters, but I just wanted his management to know that if he wanted, he could be captain, fullback, do whatever he wants.

“I’d definitely want to have a chat with him, but it’s highly unlikely it’ll ever get to that stage. I’m not saying I’ll take the captaincy off Ben (Hunt), but I want to get a quality player like Joey, I need to entice him to come down to the club. He’s a quality player, but let’s be really honest, I don’t think he’ll move.”

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