🔥 Trending Joseph Manu: Rugby League Star's Contract and Future Explored

Joseph Manu is a New Zealand professional rugby footballer known for his achievements in both rugby league and rugby union. He gained prominence as a center for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL), where he won premierships in 2018 and 2019 ¹⁸. He has also represented New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at an international level ¹⁸.

After a successful career in the NRL, Manu transitioned to rugby union, joining French club Racing 92 in the Top 14 league ¹⁸. He played for Racing 92 in the 2025/2026 Challenge Cup season ².

Current Developments and Future Prospects

As of mid-2026, Joseph Manu is a prominent figure in rugby transfer news, with significant speculation surrounding his potential return to the NRL.

Transition to Rugby Union

Manu left the NRL at the end of the 2024 season to switch codes and play rugby union in France ⁵⁷. He expressed that this move to Japan's League One (though he ultimately joined Racing 92 in France) felt "real" as his departure from the NRL approached ⁷.

Potential NRL Return

Despite his current commitment to rugby union, there has been considerable interest in Manu returning to the NRL:

• New Zealand Warriors' Attempt (2026): The New Zealand Warriors reportedly attempted to sign Manu back to the NRL before the June 30 deadline in 2026. Manu and his management engaged in multiple discussions with the Warriors regarding a potential short-term return ³.
• PNG Chiefs' Interest (2028 NRL Entry): The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chiefs, an incoming 19th club set to join the NRL in 2028, are actively pursuing Manu ⁴⁶. In July 2026, Manu visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to tour the Chiefs' facilities and discuss their plans ahead of their 2028 NRL entry ⁵⁶. Code Sports revealed that Manu is open to leaving rugby union to join the Chiefs, which would be a significant signing for the new club ⁴.