‘He’ll always be a Rooster’: Trent Robinson expects Joseph Manu to head overseas, confident star centre will eventually return to the NRL

Roosters coach Trent Robinson says “it’s pretty clear” that star centre Joseph Manu won’t be at the club next year, but he’s confident the former Golden Boot winner will return following a likely move to French rugby in 2025.

Manu has indicated to club officials that he will more than likely take up a lucrative offer to head overseas on a deal worth a lot more than the Roosters are able to pay.

The 27-year-old is off contract at the end of the season and wants to challenge himself after winning back-to-back titles with the Tricolours and developing into one of the most gifted outside backs in the world.

Losing Manu is a bitter blow for the Roosters with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also set to join the 15-man code next year, but Robinson hasn’t given up hope of luring the 2022 Golden Boot winner back home whenever he’s ready.

“As far as I know, I think that’s pretty clear. But the deal hasn’t been done yet,” Robinson replied when asked if Manu was leaving.

“The deal is not done. But it’s not about talking (him) out of it. I don’t need to convince him of anything. It’s his decision. He knows there’s an opportunity here for next year, but I’m giving some freedom to him to make that choice.”

The Roosters see Manu as James Tedesco’s long-term replacement at fullback, and that’s still possible if the Kiwis star only signs a short deal with French rugby.

It’s why Robinson is confident Manu will play for the Roosters in the future if he ends up leaving at the end of the year.

“He has been here since he was a kid. He wants to go and experience another country. He grew up playing union so he wants to do that,” the coach said.

“But I just know he’s a Rooster at the same time. Now that may not end up being that way. But I feel like it will.

“I don’t think it’ll be his last year (with us). I think he’ll always be a Rooster and he will come back at some point when he’s done.

“But he’s spoken of his desire and he’s been really open with me about what he’s thought since last year. I’ll always support him and others. We’re just waiting on what his decision will be.”

Manu’s future plans are something Robinson will have to worry about down the track, with the three-time premiership-winning coach more worried about how to fit six stars into his back five.

Manu, Tedesco, Dom Young and Daniel Tupou are assured of spots, with Suaalii and Billy Smith fighting it out for the left centre position.

Robinson has plenty to weigh up, but he says future rugby contracts won’t count against Manu and Suaalii when it comes to picking a team.

“You can imagine my answer to that,” he said following the win over Manly in Gosford.

“They’re here now and I respect them. I think a lot was made of that last year. That’s not who I am or what I’m going to do.”

Robinson confirmed after the game that he would likely rotate his star outside backs, with Tupou scoring twice in the pre-season win, with Smith and Suaalii both setting up four-pointers.

“It’s a good (headache) to have,” he said.

“We made the choice to go with six top end international guys, and they’ve been really good at training.

“Some guys will play some weeks and some won’t, but there’s a belief in all of them that it’s not one over the other. That’s on me.

“I’ve been really open about putting the guys in different positions because you can’t fix on five because six of them are so good.

“Eventually you have to pick a team for each week, but there won’t be someone missing out for long.”