Roosters fans will not see former star Joey Manu make an immediate return to the NRL after the New Zealand ace signed with Racing 92 until the end of the 2027 French Rugby season. Manu made the huge move to Japanese rugby for the 2025 season in a big blow to the Roosters.
One of the game’s best centres wanted to chase a career in rugby union and switched to the Toyota Verblitz. Earlier this season, there were reports Manu was getting cold feet about his move to French rugby.
The 29-year-old was also invited back to train and use the Roosters’ facilities last month in preparation for his stint in French rugby. And in a blow for the Roosters and Super Rugby fans, Racing 92 have announced the signing of the star until the end of the 2027 season.
Manu scored 11 tries in his debut season for Verblitz, but the team struggled after finishing 10th on the ladder. The former Roosters star isn’t the only major signing for Racing 92. The French club also grabbed Taniela Tupou for the season.
The former Wallabies prop will join the side who are hoping to improve on a lacklustre season. Racing 92 finished 10th in the Top 14 standings and have reacted accordingly. The Paris-based club made 10 new signings for the upcoming season starting next month.
Joey Manu shuts door on Roosters return
After a run for the Toyota Verblitz, reports suggested Manu might have had a change of heart on French rugby and was angling for an NRL return on compassionate grounds. Last month, Manu caused a stir when he showed up to a Roosters game.
Cameras captured the 29-year-old sitting amongst the Roosters section during the game. Many fans were convinced it was a sign he could be on the verge of handing the Tri Colours a huge boost by rejoining the club this season. But this has been now shut down after his move to French rugby was ratified on Wednesday.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson had previously shut down any suggestion Manu would be linking up with the club at the back-end of the 2025 NRL season. While he initially left the door open for a return in 2026, this has now been quelled.
“Joey, this is his home, it always has been. But I’m sure he’s got a plan,” the Roosters coach said at the time. “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 (with) us…
“Naturally you would (welcome him back), but that’s not our choice. Joey gets to make his choice. 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.”
Manu played 181 games for the Roosters, won two premierships and scored 69 tries. He also made 17 appearances for New Zealand.
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