From NRL to Nippon: The Journey of Joey Manu and the Rise of Toyota Verblitz

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JOEY LEAVES THE CHOOK PEN

The Roosters have officially announced that Joey Manu will be leaving the club at the conclusion of the 2024 season to join the Japanese rugby club Toyota Verblitz.

Rising NRL Star Joey Manu Set to Embark on New Rugby Journey

At 27 years old, Manu has accumulated 164 appearances for the Roosters over nine seasons since his NRL debut in 2016.

Having progressed through the ranks of the Roosters’ junior system, Manu has established himself as a standout performer in the NRL, clinching two premierships in 2018 and 2019.

Now he will leave the Tricolours club and has signed a deal reportedly worth north of $1 million per-season to try his hand at the 15-man code.

Hailing from Tokoroa, New Zealand’s North Island, Manu was previously heavily linked to a code switch with the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby back in 2021, ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Manu, 27, is a gifted centre or fullback who has been a multiple premiership winner with the Roosters and following the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, he was crowned the Golden Boot winner as the best international player on the planet.

Ian Foster Named Head Coach of Toyota Verblitz for 2024/2025 Season

AND WHO WILL COACH HIM I HEAR YOU ASK??

Ian Foster.

The ex-All Blacks head coach and long-time assistant, who served under Sir Steve Hansen, has been officially announced as the new head coach of the Japanese club side Toyota Verblitz for the 2024/2025 Japan Rugby League One season.

All Blacks’ Ian Foster to Mentor Joey Manu at Toyota Verblitz

Foster, who will replace former Highlanders and Hurricanes flanker Ben Herring, already has a high profile recruit on his books with Joey Manu now confirmed to leave the Roosters and make the switch to rugby under Foster from next season.

Foster will  look forward to connecting with Steve Hansen again and working with him. They have always worked together and accomplished many great things together.

Also at the club is former All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, who will once again play under Foster. Tom Robertson, ex Blues, and Will Tupou, ex Sunwolves,plus Josh Dickson, ex Highlander, are also in the club.

All Blacks Veterans Aaron Smith to Reunite Under Foster at Verblitz

Kieran Read the Crusader and All Black captain formerly played for Verblitz in the 20/21 season.

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is currently at Verblitz but will return from his sabbatical midday way through this year, meaning he won’t play under Foster.

Foster and his team were written off by almost everybody heading into last year’s Rugby World Cup showcase in France but he took the All Blacks to the final, losing by just a single point, 12-11, to South Africa despite captain Sam Cane reviving a first half red card.

Beauden Barrett’s Return Timed Midseason as Foster Prepares Toyota Verblitz Squad

Steve Hansen has been serving as the director of rugby at Toyota Verblitz.

Toyota Verblitz is a Japanese rugby union team competing in the Japan Rugby League One. The name “Verblitz” is a fusion of “verde,”

Italian for green, and blitz, which is German for lightning. The team is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation.

Their home stadium is Toyota Stadium, with a capacity of 45,000. Additionally, games may also be played at Paloma Mizuho Stadium and Toyota Sports Centre, with multiple other stadiums in the area potentially hosting matches as well. They are based on the island of Honshu, in Nagoya, about half way between Tokyo and Osaka.

Nagoya: The Epicenter of Japan’s Industrial Might and Rugby Ambitions

Today, the Nagoya region stands as the forefront of Japan’s automotive, machine tooling, robotics, fine ceramics, and aerospace industries, solidifying its position as the financial hub of the nation. Some may recognize Nagoya for attractions like Legoland Japan or Nagoya Castle, but it’s also renowned for its culinary delights.

Excitement Builds as Toyota Verblitz Gears Up for New Season with Manu Onboard

With Joey Manu’s arrival, Toyota Verblitz is garnering even more attention, raising fans’ expectations for the upcoming rugby season.