NRL 2022: Roosters, James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Joseph Manu, Nathan Cleary, Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns has made a glowing call on Joseph Manu less than a week after Brad Fittler suggested the Roosters ace should become the club’s chief five-eighth.
Manu, in Johns’ mind, is among the top-five players in the NRL.
“I’ve got (Cameron) Munster No.1,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
READ MORE: ‘Swearing’ NRL firebrand sin-binned for ref abuse
READ MORE: Ponga left shattered after latest head knock
READ MORE: Star smashes 26-year-old record with ‘unbelievable’ run
“Look, Turbo (Tom Trbojevic) is out. Turbo would be in the top-five players.
“I would put (Manu) in between Teddy (James Tedesco) and Latrell (Mitchell). So, Munster No.1, Teddy No.2, Joseph Manu No.3, Latrell four, Nathan (Cleary) five.
“Pretty impressive for a bloke who’s been playing out of position.”
Johns’ call on Manu followed Fittler’s remark that the 26-year-old should become the Tricolours’ specialist five-eighth following his brilliant form in the position in Luke Keary’s absence.
Keary returned from a break due to concussion as the Roosters thrashed the Knights on Friday night, and Manu was sidelined with a calf injury, but Manu had shone at five-eighth during his teammate’s hiatus.
Joey Manu’s unreal streak of form: Immortal Behaviour
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
In Manu’s game at five-eighth against Penrith in round 16, the Kiwi international tallied 160 run metres, 14 tackle busts and a try assist.
He then registered two tries, two try assists, 194 run metres and 15 tackle breaks against St George Illawarra.
Those sparkling performances followed a spellbinding outing in a Test against Tonga in June, in which he ran for a record-breaking 401 metres.
Manu is expected to return for the Roosters’ clash with the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval next Thursday night.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
State of Origin III 2022 in pictures: All the colour of the Blues v Maroons series decider
