Two weeks after former NRL teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii debuted in Rugby, fellow league star Joseph Manu’s Rugby Union debut has been confirmed.
Manu will turn out for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz in their trial against Kobe Steelers on Friday.
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The mutliple-time NRL premiership winner will follow in Suaalii’s footsteps and will start at outside centre after missing their opening trial.
The 28-year-old is joined in the backline by All Blacks legend and scrumhalf Aaron Smith.
Smith made the move to the club coached by former Test coaches Ian Foster and Steve Hansen at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Manu announced his decision to join Rugby Union in April after a decorated Rugby League career that saw him named International Player of the Year in 2022.
Australia U20s captain Toby Macpherson joins the pair in the wider squad for the trial match before their season kicks off in December.
Macpherson started in their opening trial of the season against Suntory after signing from the ACT Brumbies on a loan deal.
Kobe Steelers will be led by Smith’s ex All Blacks teammate Brodie Retallick, who was named co-captain during the week by former Wallabies boss Dave Rennie.
Retallick headlines a strong Steelers side that includes former All Black Ngani Laumape.
The Japanese Rugby League One season will kick off on 22 December, with Toyota Verblitz taking on Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears.
The Spears will play the NSW Waratahs next week in one of their final hit outs before the start of the regular season.
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