On a cold June afternoon in 2016, 19-year-old Joseph Manu sat in the dressing rooms at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium, waiting eagerly to run out onto the field and show the world what he had to offer, as the next-best rugby league star. Now, on the eve of his eighth first-grade season, he recognises his journey hasn't been easy, but it has been everything he has ever dreamt of.
He's won back-to-back Premierships in 2018 and 2019, two World Club Challenge titles, a Golden Boot for his efforts on the International stage and the 2022 NRL Centre of the Year award, but the now 26-year-old believes he still has more to offer to the club that made him who he is today.
Extended Interview | Joseph Manu
From the boy who grew up playing rugby union on the outskirts of Hamilton, to now, embarking on his eighth season as a Sydney Rooster, Manu is still a gentle soul with a passion for giving back to the community.
“I didn’t know what to expect really,” he said about his journey from Tokoroa to Australia. “I didn’t know much about the Roosters, I didn’t know much about rugby league, I grew up playing rugby union, so I didn’t know too much about what I was getting myself into.”
But now, after establishing himself in the Eastern Suburbs and forming lifelong connections with players past and present, Manu knows he made the right decision.
“I guess I was probably a bit lucky coming to the Roosters. They are probably one of the best clubs and I didn’t know that at the time,” he explained.
“The way they sort of offered what they were willing to do for me, I got to fly in and out for a bit there, they let me finish my schooling in New Zealand and then obviously I moved into the [Sydney Roosters] House with a few of the other boys that were living away from home.”
The 26-year-old’s experience with the Club as a junior cemented his future almost immediately, he knew that this was home.
“Just the way they treated me from when I was young, there was no way I ever wanted to leave, I just wanted to stay around here. They’ve always treated me the same, there’s great people inside the Club which makes the Roosters what it is.”
“I love the area, it’s a lot different to where I’ve come from, a little small town, but I mean, I’m grateful to be a Rooster and every day I try to better myself and invest in the culture here. I’m always striving to learn more and be a better person.”
Manu attended his first Rugby League World Cup in October, featuring for the New Zealand Kiwis as fullback. Recognised with the Golden Boot award for his incredible consistency throughout the International Rugby League season, the proven performer will always cherish the opportunity to represent his heritage and his family.
Manu Wins the Men's 2022 Golden Boot
“Whenever I get to pull on that Kiwi’s jersey it means a lot, it’s the highest thing you can do in rugby league,” he said. “Being brought up in New Zealand… it brings back so many memories of me being a kid and dreaming of playing for that black jersey and that’s why you do it really.”
“I guess for me now, as I’m getting a bit older, my goal is inspiring young kids from little towns where they don’t have many opportunities. I get to give them happiness and give them hope with whatever they’re pursuing and whatever they put their mind to, they can achieve that.”
Locked in for season 2023, Manu is excited to kick-start his year in front of a home crowd at Allianz Stadium, joking that his family will have to decide if they want to cheer for him, or for the Club that represents his home country.
“I’ve been training hard now to get out there on the field and it's finally here,” he said. “For myself, I’m just so excited. I get to do it at home, it’s where I had my last game in the same colours, so that’s another exciting thing for me, where I get to play in front of the Roosters fans and some of my family and friends.”
“When I get to pull on that Roosters jersey, I always do my best and yeah it’s my first game, we’ve had a few injuries, we’ve got a few young boys in there, but we’ll play our best and that’s when we really go after it.”
One thing Manu is looking forward to seeing over the course of the season is the development of 19-year-old Samoan International, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
“He's [Suaalii] just a great friend of mine, I think we’ve built a good relationship over the last few years,” Manu said. “He’s been like a little brother to me, he’s always bringing the energy, he’s funny, he’s just someone good to be around.”
“Obviously seeing what he does on the field, he’s just scratching the surface there, he’s someone that wants to get better every day and that’s what I really like about him … I know that he’ll be up there with the best centres this year. I’m always trying to help him and he’s definitely helping me out too, so it’s been good.”
Being a two-time Premiership winner, Manu knows what it feels like to succeed, to wear your heart on your sleeve and to perform for people across the world. He believes the team has what it takes to get the job done this year and must tune in to the Roosters style of play that will get them over the line when times get tough.
“I guess obviously everyone knows what the end goal is, to win, but there’s a lot of hard work that goes into all that. I feel like we’ve got a good team but we haven’t proved anything. We’ve got young boys and we’ve got some great leaders, but we’ve got to prove it to ourselves first,” he said.
“I guess just playing for the Roosters, playing that style that we want to play. I wake up every day and chase different goals and try to be the best Roosters player that I can be, and also the best person I can be off the field.”
Cheer on the Red, White and Blue when they return home to Allianz Stadium to face the New Zealand Warriors in a double-header this Saturday, with gates opening at 12:30pm. Get your tickets now, for an action-packed afternoon of footy you don’t want to miss.
