Joseph Manu’s father concedes the Roosters star is feeling “down” after suffering an injury that could rule him out of the club’s premiership campaign.
The Roosters are sweating on scan results after Manu suffered a recurrence of a calf complaint in Friday night’s win against South Sydney. The tricolours are resigned to being without him in next weekend’s rematch in the finals, but expect to have Joseph Suaalii (shoulder), Daniel Tupou (groin), Victor Radley (concussion) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) available for selection.
Several members of the Manu family still live in New Zealand and had booked flights for next week in expectation of witnessing the Kiwi centre in action at Allianz Stadium. They are now resigned to him being sidelined for the Rabbitohs clash, although it remains unclear whether he will play again in 2023.
Manu’s father, Nooroa, spoke with the 26-year-old several times on Saturday as they await an official prognosis from medicos.
“It didn’t look good; it didn’t feel good,” Nooroa Manu said. “A couple of months he’s had it, and it’s been a bit niggly and one week they rested it. It’s just a bit freak, how it happened [on Friday].
“Hopefully it’s not too long – fingers crossed – but it looks like something. Once he gets it known, we’ll know what’s happening.”
There are fears Joseph Manu’s season is over.Credit:Getty
Nooroa said Manu was resigned to missing the Rabbitohs rematch, but held out some hope that he could be back later in the finals series or for the Kiwis’ Rugby League World Cup campaign.
“He’s not too happy with how it’s gone,” Nooroa said. “He’s a little bit down. I know he’s very competitive. He just wants to see how he goes with the scans.
“He was excited about the occasion, it was a really good day, an awesome stadium and, obviously, he loves finals. Hopefully, he’s going to be around. If not, all good, he’ll just move on.
“Hopefully, he’s not out for the World Cup. We’ll see how it rolls.”
If ruled out for the year, it will be the second successive season that Manu’s campaign has ended in the final regular-season match against South Sydney. It would be a hammer blow for the Roosters’ premierships hopes given his sublime form. He has scored 11 tries, set up 12 more and averages 140 running metres a game this season.
Suaalii was rested as a precaution after suffering a shoulder injury against the Storm, Radley is showing no ill-effects from his sickening head knock during the same game and Tupou is also expected to be a key inclusion for what will be another Allianz Stadium blockbuster.
In-form Roosters back-rower Angus Crichton believes there is enough depth in the squad to contend for the title.
“All years are different – we have a different crop coming through, which is different to 2019 – but everyone believes in this team,” Crichton said.
Crichton was excited for the return of Suaalii who is also a genuine centre option to replace Manu. Suaalii even spent time in the centres at Thursday’s captain’s run before he was rubbed out of the game.
“Joey brings so much to our team, to have him and Victor Radley back – two of our best players – it’s a big lift,” Crichton said.
“That wasn’t a complete game by us [on Friday night], we were scrappy in the second half, and we know we’ll only get better.”
