Just 10 days after his rugby league career ended, Joseph Manu has been captured training with his new Japanese rugby outfit Toyota Verblitz.
Footage, posted on Toyota Verblitz’s official Instagram account, shows Manu being put through his paces, taking on agility and ball skills drills.
Another video shows the 28-year-old standing in front of his new teammates and introducing himself, with the help of a Japanese translator.
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The footage is incredible considering Manu’s most recent league game, the Roosters’ preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm, was on September 27.
According to a report from The Courier Mail, the former Rooster is pushing to play in Verblitz’s opening game of the Japan One competition on 22 December, with his participation in training so soon after losing to the Storm in the preliminary final stage indicating his eagerness to achieve that goal.
Manu, who won back-to-back premierships with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, joined the Japanese rugby side on a one-year deal reportedly worth $1 million.
The former Golden Boot winner has stated he wants to test himself in a new sport and experience living in a new culture, and hopes his move to Japan can inspire significant growth in his popular YouTube channel.
It remains unclear whether Manu will return to the Roosters once his contract expires or continue pursuing his union career.
Former All Blacks coach Steven Hansen is Toyota Verblitz’ director of rugby, while current All Blacks stars Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett play for the club.
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