Joey Manu’s NRL return sealed with PNG, but rivals could get him even earlier

Joey Manu is on his way back to rugby league after agreeing to a two-year deal as the PNG Chiefs latest marquee signing.

Manu’s long-touted signing with the Chiefs was confirmed on Monday morning, with the Kiwi international’s return to the NRL in 2028 now locked in after he departed for overseas rugby almost two years ago.

Manu has already been offered to several NRL clubs as a potential short-term signing for the back half of 2027 once he completes the final year of his estimated €1 million ($1.6 million) deal with French rugby outfit Racing 92.

He will be PNG’s seventh signing and second star recruit from the 15-man code, joining Zac Lomax in returning to the NRL after touring the Chiefs’ Port Moresby facilities.

Manu will be 31 by the time he links with PNG for their first pre-season late next year.

A rugby league return at centre – where he was widely regarded as the best in the game throughout a 181-game career with the Roosters – is considered more suitable than fullback though given his age and the added running required of custodians under the NRL’s new set-restart rules.

Manu’s desire to be closer to his New Zealand-based extended family is a significant factor in his move to PNG after stints in Japanese and French rugby.

He had initially moved to rugby with an eye to representing the All Blacks at next year’s World Cup, but never entered the selection frame given he was not playing for a Kiwi Super Rugby side.

Manu will instead join Penrith’s Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Lomax, Connor Watson, Alex Johnston and English prop Matty Lees on PNG’s inaugural roster.

His final year with Racing 92 will dictate when he could be available to NRL rivals for a mid-season cameo in 2027.

This year, the Warriors enquired about bringing Manu back as a pre-June 30 signing across the French rugby off-season, before he ultimately knocked back a short-term NRL return to ensure he didn’t jeopardise his rugby contract.

A $300,000 sign-on figure for a three-month return was reported at the time as fair market value according to the NRL salary for the Kiwi star, which would equate to $1.2 million annually.