Joseph Manu

After suffering a horrific facial injury at the back end of last season, the tearaway centre is ready to get back to his best in the Tricolours in his seventh season in the top grade.

With the likes of experienced campaigner Kevin Naiqama and fellow under 20s Premiership-winner Paul Momirovski arriving at the Club, the 25-year-old has been thriving on the training and is looking forward to featuring in a backline that boasts a number of strike weapons.

“They’re quality players,” Manu said of his new teammates. 

Manu, who comes off-contract at the end of 2022, was being chased hard by the Warriors.

The club was prepared to table him a $1 million-per year offer — around a $250,000 increase on his current Roosters salary.

However, according to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, Manu has informed the Roosters he won’t be testing his value on the open market, effectively turning down a mega payday to stay loyal to the club he’s won two premierships with.

The Roosters play only one match across the Tasman this year, and it happened to be the one where the New Zealand native was selected to make his first appearance in the top grade.

It meant more than just the comfort of being in familiar surroundings too, allowing about 90 of his family and close friends to attend the match at Mt Smart Stadium.