‘No different to Sonny’: All Blacks coaching legend is excited about Manu move

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is backing Joey Manu to follow in the footsteps of cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams following his decision to quit the Sydney Roosters for Japanese rugby.

The Roosters confirmed on Tuesday that Manu would depart at the end of the season to take up a two-year deal with Toyota Verblitz, where Hansen is the coaching director.

Hansen “couldn’t say yes quick enough” when he first learnt about Manu’s potential code switch.

He has followed Manu closely in the NRL, admitting “he was on fire” when switched to No.1 last Thursday against Newcastle.

Just as he helped transform former NRL premiership winner Williams into a World Cup-winning All Black, Hansen said Manu, 27, had the same talents and qualities.

“It’s no different to what we did with Sonny. Joey and Sonny are excellent athletes, and there’s no reason he can’t be a similar success,” Hansen told this masthead.

Joseph Manu will join Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

“The best thing about Joey is he’s doing this for the right reasons. He wants to come to us to learn how to play the game.

“He’s so talented, there are no two ways about it. He seems to make the right decisions at the right time. He has a very good work ethic, and in all my dealings with him so far, he’s also a good character.

“We want him to achieve his goals, and along the way, he’ll help us achieve ours.”

The Roosters were prepared to offer Manu about $800,000 a season. There was talk of Manu being targeted by cashed-up French rugby clubs, but he settled for less in Japan to work with Hansen and coach Ian Foster, another former All Blacks mentor.

World Cup-winning former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is coaching director at Toyota Verblitz

Despite the Japanese Rugby League One season ending in June, there were no discussions about allowing Manu to return to the NRL for a late-season cameo in 2025 and 2026.

Hansen said Manu was likely to start at fullback or on the wing, but had the potential to shift into the centres.

Manu has spoken about wanting to represent the All Blacks but would need to be contracted to a New Zealand franchise to realise that dream.

Hansen said the next two years in Japan would work in his favour, and there was ample time to prepare for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Steve Hansen and Sonny Bill Williams in 2019.

“I like the fact he wants to come here away from the spotlight a wee bit,” Hansen said.

“He can work on the stuff he needs to work on and he can grow himself and his game without the constant scrutiny of being in [the] New Zealand or the Australian market.

“He’s already played fullback in the NRL, has the speed and talent to play on the wing, and can also play in the centres. He’ll tell us by his performances at training.”

Manu becomes the second Rooster to quit the club for rugby at the end of the year with Joseph Suaalii inking a three-year deal with the Wallabies worth just under $2million a season.

Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.