New signing on horizon

[The Sack]

If Manu comes back to the fold, I hope he has learned to pass the ball to his support players. Been hogging the ball the last couple of years and only looks to pass when there is no other option. Too late by then.

[SamKerrSimp]

The club shouldn't be bending over for Manu particularly since he's dogged it for the past 2 years and hardly ever got himself involved in the game, thanks for the memories but if you want to return to the NRL go play for the Warriors or someone like that.

[A Country Member]

Manu is coming back for a late season cameo at hooker. Trent has finally heeded the Pens advice and with Brandon being moved on, potentially by mid-season, the chance has arisen. Together with a season where we’re not favourites, he’s been given approval by the board for the experiment given there’s not much to lose. Ruck it Joe

Now he is the main man for his Japanese union team, Joey has agreed to the positional change. He will then be able to market himself as a scrum half in Rugubi in his future deals.

["gaz"]

Interesting one with manu
id love him to come back and we have the cap for it
also coverage if Teddy gets injured
however he will have a big battle to get a centre spot back - if Billy and toia stay fit and Marky N is quality which I think he will be Manu will be in a big battle to get the right centre position back

at his best just about the best centre in the game but is not there every week and needs more ball - go looking for the ball more to get the best out of him

I guess we see how we are traveling when the time comes, along with him there could be potentially two more to fit into the side in Walker and Cheese.
It will be an interesting stage of the season

[Chook2]

Sydney Roosters willing to leave roster spot open for a Joseph Manu mid-season return

The Sydney Roosters are holding out hope of Joseph Manu returning to the club this year following a stint in Japanese rugby, with the club prepared to leave a spot open in their roster for the star centre.
Fatima Kdouh
Daily Telegraph
January 26, 2025 - 4:40PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e05f013736c966



The Sydney Roosters are holding out hope of Joseph Manu returning to the club this year and will keep a spot open in their roster should he choose to come back to Bondi from Japanese rugby.

It’s understood the Roosters believe they have the cap space to accommodate Manu if the international centre indicates a preference to ditch rugby for the NRL.

It’s understood Manu, who produced his best performance for Toyota Verblitz last weekend, is on a lucrative one year deal worth around $1 million but has an option in his favour to extend his time with the club for a further season.

If Manu doesn’t take up the option, the 28-year-old will become a free agent paving the way for an NRL comeback.

The Japanese Rugby League One Competition runs until May which opens the door for Manu to return to Australia before the June 30 deadline.

NRL clubs are required to have at least 24 players in the top 30 by November 1 before finalising the roster by June 30.

Any NRL contract would be registered at Manu’s market value but would be prorated until the end of the 2025 season and would need the approval of League Central.

The NRL has frowned upon players signing short rugby union stints in a bid to top up their salary with or returning to Australia on short-term deals while contracted to longer term with the rival code.

In 2019, the NRL scuttled Jordan Rapana’s one year deal with Panasonic Wild Knights after the governing body ruled it would prevent the former Canberra star from returning to the nation’s capital once his contract in Japan had expired.

Coach Trent Robinson’s roster will be without 900 games of NRL experience after farewelling Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at the end of 2024.

The mass exodus has also freed-up the salary cap space that would be needed for Manu to make a return to the NRL club.

Adding Manu to the roster mid-season will give the Tricolours a huge boost in the run to the final series.

Manu told reporters in June he would not rush to make a decision about his playing future, in either code, beyond 2025.

“I don’t really have a plan to be honest. I’m just going to go over there and try my best, give it a crack. Just ride the wave,” Manu said at the time.

“I’m not too sure where I end up. But obviously this club means a lot to me. Hopefully somewhere down the line I’ll come back here.”

Manu’s return would further bolster Robinson’s options in the backline with Kiwi international an option at centre, five-eighth or even fullback.

The likes of Billy Smith, highly touted rookie Robert Toia and rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase are in a three-way battle to replace Manu and Suaalii in the centres for the Roosters’ Round 1 clash against Brisbane at Allianz Stadium on March 6.

The trio will get a two-game audition to lock down a starting spot during next month’s pre-season challenge which kicks off against St George Illawarra on February 16 before a final trial run against Newcastle the following weekend.

Interesting one with manu
id love him to come back and we have the cap for it
also coverage if Teddy gets injured
however he will have a big battle to get a centre spot back - if Billy and toia stay fit and Marky N is quality which I think he will be Manu will be in a big battle to get the right centre position back

at his best just about the best centre in the game but is not there every week and needs more ball - go looking for the ball more to get the best out of him

["gaz"]

Sydney Roosters willing to leave roster spot open for a Joseph Manu mid-season return

The Sydney Roosters are holding out hope of Joseph Manu returning to the club this year following a stint in Japanese rugby, with the club prepared to leave a spot open in their roster for the star centre.
Fatima Kdouh
Daily Telegraph
January 26, 2025 - 4:40PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e05f013736c966



The Sydney Roosters are holding out hope of Joseph Manu returning to the club this year and will keep a spot open in their roster should he choose to come back to Bondi from Japanese rugby.

It’s understood the Roosters believe they have the cap space to accommodate Manu if the international centre indicates a preference to ditch rugby for the NRL.

It’s understood Manu, who produced his best performance for Toyota Verblitz last weekend, is on a lucrative one year deal worth around $1 million but has an option in his favour to extend his time with the club for a further season.

If Manu doesn’t take up the option, the 28-year-old will become a free agent paving the way for an NRL comeback.

The Japanese Rugby League One Competition runs until May which opens the door for Manu to return to Australia before the June 30 deadline.

NRL clubs are required to have at least 24 players in the top 30 by November 1 before finalising the roster by June 30.

Any NRL contract would be registered at Manu’s market value but would be prorated until the end of the 2025 season and would need the approval of League Central.

The NRL has frowned upon players signing short rugby union stints in a bid to top up their salary with or returning to Australia on short-term deals while contracted to longer term with the rival code.

In 2019, the NRL scuttled Jordan Rapana’s one year deal with Panasonic Wild Knights after the governing body ruled it would prevent the former Canberra star from returning to the nation’s capital once his contract in Japan had expired.

Coach Trent Robinson’s roster will be without 900 games of NRL experience after farewelling Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at the end of 2024.

The mass exodus has also freed-up the salary cap space that would be needed for Manu to make a return to the NRL club.

Adding Manu to the roster mid-season will give the Tricolours a huge boost in the run to the final series.

Manu told reporters in June he would not rush to make a decision about his playing future, in either code, beyond 2025.

“I don’t really have a plan to be honest. I’m just going to go over there and try my best, give it a crack. Just ride the wave,” Manu said at the time.

“I’m not too sure where I end up. But obviously this club means a lot to me. Hopefully somewhere down the line I’ll come back here.”

Manu’s return would further bolster Robinson’s options in the backline with Kiwi international an option at centre, five-eighth or even fullback.

The likes of Billy Smith, highly touted rookie Robert Toia and rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase are in a three-way battle to replace Manu and Suaalii in the centres for the Roosters’ Round 1 clash against Brisbane at Allianz Stadium on March 6.

The trio will get a two-game audition to lock down a starting spot during next month’s pre-season challenge which kicks off against St George Illawarra on February 16 before a final trial run against Newcastle the following weekend.

[Bates]

[QUOTE=Schooner;n1083901]I've been told the club want to prioritize juniors we have spent a lot of money on instead of buying back up players from outside. If we keep buying players the youngsters may leave before we get any value out of them. We have a lot of young forwards coming through. Might make this year tough[/QUOTE]


Interviewer : What's your prediction for the fight?
Mr T : Prediction?
Interviewer : Yes, prediction.
Mr T : Pain

[Davo]

Agree, also the Seve brothers from Canterbury were signed with a clear passage to first grade if they achieve potential. If we caontinue to buy other players, that pathway takes longer and they will leave in a year or 2.

[Schooner]

I've been told the club want to prioritize juniors we have spent a lot of money on instead of buying back up players from outside. If we keep buying players the youngsters may leave before we get any value out of them. We have a lot of young forwards coming through. Might make this year tough

[Rooster90]

Francis Molo anyone. 2 year deal ??????

$500k for a mid prop, thats a no

He will end up back in QLD at the Dolphins or Cowboys

[Chook2]

At the right price, it’s a yes from me.
Could be a good depth signing whilst our youngsters continue to develop.

Agree here
at right price I believe he is a good aggressive front rower
although his off field / departing dragons issue may be a red flag as you wouldn’t want the extra baggage particularly when we just let May go for this
also not blocking pathways for Vaa bros
I’d imagine he will have a few clubs chasing him who still have roster spots and the cash the spend

[JAF]

Francis Molo anyone. 2 year deal ??????

At the right price, it’s a yes from me.
Could be a good depth signing whilst our youngsters continue to develop.

[roosterproud]

Francis Molo anyone. 2 year deal ??????

["gaz"]

Zeke Fahina joins Sydney Roosters academy program


by News Of The Area - Modern Media - January 22, 2025

Zeke Fahina has developed a stellar reputation in local rugby league circles.
EZEKIEL “Zeke” Fahina, a rising rugby league talent from Camden Haven, has earned his spot in the Elite Roosters Junior Rugby League (JRL) program for the 2024/2025 season. Designed by the Sydney Roosters, the program offers talented junior players the opportunity to engage in specialised elite training tailored to their age and playing position.
Zeke’s rugby league journey began at age five, running onto the field for the Blacktown City Bears.
In 2022, following his family’s relocation to North Haven, Zeke joined the Camden Haven Eagles.
Since joining the Eagles Zeke has often played above his age group, taking on the U16 competition as a 14-year-old last season.
Despite playing older opponents, Zeke has proven himself a force to be reckoned with, impressing both his coach and teammates with his speed, powerful runs and offloading ability.
Zeke is also no stranger to representative rugby league, having previously been selected in the Group 3 Junior Rugby League Academy.
In 2024, his prowess on the field caught the eye of Roosters talent scout Rob McAlpine, resulting in Zeke receiving an invitation to trial with the Roosters JRL Development Squad.
Following a rigorous selection process Zeke secured a spot in the prestigious program.
With the support of his family, including his father Ulise “Les” Fahina, who also traversed the Roosters development pathways in his youth, Zeke is determined to make the most of this opportunity and pursue his dreams in rugby league.
“I was really excited when I was told I was selected,” said Zeke.
“As training approaches each week I am keen to attend and to further develop my skills.”
Zeke’s mother, Melissa, said she was “so proud” of her son.
“I feel Zeke’s selection in this program has given him greater visibility of what is available and what he has the potential to achieve.
“It is great to see him working hard in order to obtain this.”
With aspirations of wearing the famous red, white and blue of the Roosters one day, Zeke’s future in rugby league looks very promising.
The Sydney Roosters Academy was established in 2021 and delivers targeted coaching and development programs for players invited to participate in the Club’s Junior Development and Representative programs.
The program’s esteemed alumni include successful Premiership winners such as Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, Joseph Manu and Victor Radley, highlighting the caliber of talent nurtured within its ranks.
By Kim AMBROSE

[Easts75]

ZDC is absolutely legless. Any time he came on for us last year he'd generally find the ground with a pass. A very very average reserve grade player at best