Latest news with #ToyotaVerblitz
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters fans get definitive answer after Joey Manu makes call on future
Roosters fans will not see former star Joey Manu make an immediate return to the NRL after the New Zealand ace signed with Racing 92 until the end of the 2027 French Rugby season. Manu made the huge move to Japanese rugby for the 2025 season in a big blow to the Roosters. One of the game's best centres wanted to chase a career in rugby union, and potentially a New Zealand All Blacks jersey ahead of the World Cup, and switched to the Toyota Verblitz. Earlier this season, there were reports Manu was getting cold feet about his move to French rugby. The 29-year-old was also invited back to train and use the Roosters' facilities last month in preparation for his stint in French rugby. And in a blow for the Roosters and Super Rugby fans, Racing 92 have announced the signing of the star until the end of the 2027 season. Manu scored 11 tries in his debut season for Verblitz, but the team struggled after finishing 10th on the ladder. The former Roosters star isn't the only major signing for Racing 92. The French club also grabbed Taniela Tupou for the season. The former Wallabies prop will join the side who are hoping to improve on a lacklustre season. Racing 92 finished 10th in the Top 14 standings and have reacted accordingly. The Paris-based club made 10 new signings for the upcoming season starting next month. Joey Manu has officially signed with French Rugby until the end of 2027.( Racing 92 website) — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 9, 2025 OFFICIAL: Ex-Toyota wing Joseph Manu has signed for Racing 92, as long rumoured. No NRL return or Super Rugby move as many fans hoped for #rugbyjp — 🇯🇵 (@rugbyjpcom) July 8, 2025 After a run for the Toyota Verblitz, reports suggested Manu had a change of heart and was angling for a NRL return on compassionate grounds. Last month, Manu caused a stir when he showed up to a Roosters game. Cameras captured the 29-year-old sitting amongst the Roosters section during the game. Many fans convinced it was a sign he could be on the verge of handing the Tri Colours a huge boost by rejoining the club this season. Although this has been now shut down having joined French rugby. However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson shut down any suggestion he would be linking up with the Roosters at the backend of the 2025 NRL season. While he left the door open for a return in 2026, this has now been quelled. "Joey, this is his home, it always has been. But I'm sure he's got a plan," the Roosters coach said at the time. "If he's asked for a release, then he'd have a plan on what he wants to do, and that's not going to be (with) us... "Naturally you would (welcome him back), but that's not our choice. Joey gets to make his choice. He doesn't owe us anything. We've spent a lot of time together. There's obviously a professional relationship with the Roosters and also a lot of care for his family. I don't know if it's true, I've heard it reported. But until Joey tells me, then I won't be interested in why he doesn't want to go to France." Manu played 181 games for the Roosters, won two premierships and scored 69 tries. He also made 17 appearances for New Zealand.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Kiwis and Aussies put aside rivalries for game against British and Irish Lions
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster at training. Photo: SUPPLIED Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster is getting used to the ribbing about wearing the green and gold of Australia. Foster is in Adelaide as assistant coach for the AUNZ Invitational XV who play the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night. Their 30-player squad is a mix of promising Australian talent with eight All Blacks not in Scott Robertson's current squad for the series against France and a couple more from Super Rugby sides. Their training uniforms feature the Aussie green and gold livery on the chest, with black sleeves as a hat tip to the All Blacks. "It's outstanding," said Foster about the kit. "I love the black sleeves too, so there's been a nice bit of compromise in the colours.' "Les (Kiss, AUNZ XV head coach) has taken the mickey. Every time I sign something green and gold, he takes a photo of it, so I am in trouble later in the week I think." The players only assembled this week so have a limited time to get combinations gelling against the Lions, who have won their three tour games and play the Brumbies on Wednesday night. Foster, who has coached the Toyota Verblitz team in the Japan's rugby competition since finishing up with the All Blacks after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, said it will be tough against the Lions and the accent has been on getting to know each other. "The guys are coming in and getting to know each other and that always brings a lot of energy. There are guys who have played against each other, but never really had a chat. Bit of bonding, bit going on, but they are hoeing into their work and getting used to something that should be pretty special." The Lions celebrates a try against the Waratahs, 2025. Photo: DEAN LEWINS / PHOTOSPORT Foster described the Lions as ''looking pretty slick at the moment", after wins against the Force, Reds and Waratahs. They play the Brumbies tonight. "They have been well tested in their early games but I thought the Waratahs really climbed into them physically and turned that into a bit of bunfight. "We know that if they can play on top of you and get the ball they want that they have got pretty good shape about how they go about things. "They have some good existing combinations that they have had internationally. That's kinda the challenge here for us, probably the strength of the combinations. "We have got to acknowledge they are good at what they do, their set piece is strong but it's not invincible,'' Foster said. The AUNZ team was not going "heavy'' on organisation. "We can only do so much in a short time period. It's the guys just wanting to play for the guy next to them. Generating that sort of Anzac feel about it, you know putting aside the rivalries and let's do something together. "It's not a festival game for us, it's one where we want to express ourselves, it's a real opportunity to play a pretty special team against the Lions and who knows, achieve something nice." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joey Manu's appearance at Roosters game explained amid huge rumour around club great
Joey Manu's appearance at the Roosters' home game against Canberra on Sunday evening certainly raised eyebrows, but it doesn't appear that Trent Robinson's side will be making a sensational play to bring the club legend back this season. There has been speculation that Manu was considering a backflip on his decision to play French rugby, and the sight of the two-time NRL premiership winner at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night left many Roosters fans hoping for the best. Manu was seen signing autographs and posing for photos with fans before the Roosters' nail-biting 24-26 defeat to the Raiders in round 13. Cameras also captured the 28-year-old sitting amongst the Roosters section during the game as well, with many fans convinced it was a sign he could be on the verge of handing the Tri Colours a huge boost by rejoining the club this season. However, it appears those hopes have been dashed after it emerged that Manu had been invited back to train and use the club's gym facilities in preparation for his stint in French rugby. Manu left the Roosters at the end of last season to make a switch to the 15-a-side code, where he's been playing for Japanese side, Toyota Verblitz this year. But the former Golden Boot winner is set to link up with French rugby club Racing 92 from July, ahead of the domestic rugby season in France which kicks off in August. Reports earlier this year suggested Manu has had a change of heart and was understood to be angling for an NRL return on compassionate grounds. RELATED: NSW urged to backflip on Origin call amid injury fears for Blues star Madge in telling dressing room moment amid fresh Broncos disaster Kalyn Ponga farce adds to calls for NRL comp to be suspended However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson poured cold water on Manu's potential return in April after saying he'd been given no indication Manu was considering a backflip on his French rugby move. "I had no idea about it at all, so that's the first thing," Robinson said at the time. The Roosters coach has always maintained that Manu would be welcome back at the club but has distanced himself from speculation the 28-year-old was set to return. But the Roosters fuelled the latest fan frenzy around the club legend after posting a video of Manu at the game to their Instagram account, sparking a flood of messages from hopeful supporters. "Welcome back Manu, hope to see you back on the field... we love u," one commented. Another wrote: "OMG it's happening", while a third added: "Can someone please re-sign this man, amen." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) Thought it would b something like that. I just thought he was visiting the club, once a rooster, always a rooster — Glen Williams (@GlenWillia48787) June 1, 2025 I don't think any roosters fans would justify a spot for him if he came back, Smith & Toai are very capable in the centres. — RaMarcus Jussell (@JussellRamarcus) June 1, 2025 While Robinson has shot down suggestions of a return this season, he did leave the door open for Manu to potentially return in 2026 when speaking about the situation in April. "Joey, this is his home, it always has been. But I'm sure he's got a plan," the Roosters coach said at the time. "If he's asked for a release, then he'd have a plan on what he wants to do, and that's not going to be (with) us... "Naturally you would (welcome him back), but that's not our choice. Joey gets to make his choice. He doesn't owe us anything. We've spent a lot of time together. There's obviously a professional relationship with the Roosters and also a lot of care for his family. I don't know if it's true, I've heard it reported. But until Joey tells me, then I won't be interested in why he doesn't want to go to France."
The South African
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok GOAT makes welcome early return after surgery
In some welcome news for the Springbok coaching staff, World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to return to action after a long injury spell. The big man suffered a serious shoulder injury earlier this season and had to undergo corrective surgery in January. At time, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the Japanese season, thus ruling him out of the latter stages of Toyota Verblitz's campaign. But in a now viral video clip on social media, the Springbok is seen getting a proper welcome back upon his arrival to the Toyota Verblitz team room, before addressing his teammates and coach Steve Hansen. However, according to reports Du Toit – who had to be deregistered at the time of his injury in order to allow the club to bring in Michael Hooper as his medical replacement – is yet to be re-registered to play by Verblitz with two rounds left in League One. Be that as it may, Du Toit is well set to be fit and ready for the start of the Springboks' international campaign in June. TBC: Boks vs Barbarians, TBC, TBC5 July: Boks vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria12 July: Springboks vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha19 July: Boks vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit16 August: Springboks vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg23 August: Boks vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town6 September: Boks vs New Zealand, Auckland13 September: Springboks vs New Zealand, Wellington27 September: Boks vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban4 October: Springboks vs Argentina, London1 November: Boks vs Wales, Cardiff8 November: Boks vs France, Paris15 November: Springboks vs Italy, Turin22 November: Boks vs Ireland, Dublin *SA Rugby are working on adding two more Tests for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan and Portugal
Japan Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
All Black wing Tele'a announces Japan switch
All Blacks wing Mark Tele'a said Tuesday that he will play in Japan next year, depriving New Zealand of a key player ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Tele'a, who has scored 13 tries in 19 Tests and was named World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year in 2023, confirmed the move on social media but did not say which club he will play for or the length of his contract. Media reports have suggested that the 28-year-old will join Toyota Verblitz, led by former All Blacks head coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster. "It's been an amazing ride so many fantastic memories and amazing people. ... But after much thought I have decided from next year I will play my rugby in Japan," Tele'a wrote on Instagram. "Thanks to fellow players, coaches, administrators and fans! for making the past years so special for me, always been grateful and blessed for the journey. "But on to the next chapter for myself much love," he added. Tele'a is the latest All Black to make the switch to Japan's Rugby League One. New Zealand has barred national selection for players if they are not contracted domestically, a rule aimed at preventing an exodus of players and weakening local competitions. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has called for a policy change. A New Zealand Rugby official was reported as saying that Tele'a would be available to play in the three home Tests against France in July. Tele'a made his All Blacks debut in 2022 and started their World Cup final defeat to South Africa a year later. He was part of the Auckland Blues side that won the 2024 Super Rugby title. "A devastating character on the field, Mark's presence in the locker room is just as immense," the Blues wrote on social media.
