Joseph Manu leaves turbulent NRL world after 'shameful' act

Joey Manu appears to be injured before breaking through the Dragon’s defenses and setting up an experiment for the Roosters. Photo: Getty/Fox Sports

Rooster playmaker Joseph Manu has been condemned by NRL fans after a questionable game against the Dragons that some have called “embarrassing” and “unsportsmanlike”.

Manu put in a stunning individual performance to inspire the Roosters to a quick 54-26 win over St George Illawarra which ended a four-game losing streak while keeping their hopes of an NRL final alive.

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The win at Gosford came at a huge cost to the Tri-Colours, with Billy Smith (ACL), Sitili Tupouniua (ACL) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbones) all seriously injured.

With Luke Keary still out with a concussion, Manu shifted to five-eighth for the fourth time in his career and made headlines with a superb display that included two tries and a pair of attempted assists.

However, it was one of four throws that Manu made for Paul Momirovski that divided NRL fans, after the playmaker appeared to fake an injury in his build-up.

Manu runs back to take a loose pass before almost stopping when he grabs his leg as if to indicate he has suffered an injury.

Before the Dragons defense knew it, Manu broke free and dashed through the gap between Blake Lawrie and Billy Burns, before delivering a kick for Momirovski to try.

“Oh no knee wait, Manu, what is he doing there? He sold a doll with a knee injury, it was a fake knee injury that had set up an experiment for Momirovski,” commentator Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

“We all stopped, the doctor was almost out and Manu had set out to prepare the experiment.

“How beautiful, Manu the cramp, fiber, then set off to try.”

Co-commentator Shane Flanagan is willing to give Manu the benefit of the doubt, suggesting that he may have crossed the barrier of pain, rather than crashing into injury.

“I don’t know if it’s a fake injury, I think he has a cramp, he looks at the open space and says ‘I have to accept it, do I have a cramp or not’,” said Flanagan.

“Feeled the cramp coming in the back of her calf and then it just went off.”

Manu revealed after the game that he did have a pre-existing injury but admitted he took some action before setting up a trial.

“My calf has been a bit tense over the last few weeks, but it’s also just a bit of a carry,” said Manu.

Some fans praised Manu for the stunning act of deception, while others insisted it was poor sportsmanship from the Roosters star.

Joey Manu’s masterclass inspires Roosters

Manu first burst through the middle of the park and flicked the ball to Victor Radley, who opened the Roosters’ account against a run of play.

Five minutes later, Manu forced his way out with a shot into the goal area, and capitalized on his next field position by breaking through from the dummy-half.

In the first half, Manu’s efforts were matched by Dragons captain Ben Hunt.

Hunt took his State of Origin heroics to the Central Coast, spun out of the Roosters goal-line defense for the Dragons’ first try and then landed a perfect 40/20 inch kick to lay the groundwork for the second.

The Roosters’ hopes of working their way back into the game were hit when Smith hit his knee, forcing Manu to shift between the half and the outside back line.

The tight contest threatened to go in Tricolours’ favor when Dragons supporter Aaron Woods was penalized for taking Sam Walker off the ball when he hit from close range early in the second half.

The Dragons scored the first goal as they were one man down but Manu’s second attempt from the dummy-half was the impetus for a five-minute surge that resulted in two more tries for the Roosters and finally sealed the win.

Rooster playmaker Joseph Manu runs with the ball in his round of 18 match against Dragons in the NRL. photo: Getty

The floodgates opened with the Dragon’s defenses surrendering once the Roosters found their rhythm.

Playing back at five-eighth, Manu set up the Roosters’ eighth try with a shot for Paul Momirovski and earned a well-deserved early sign.

“I’m very lucky to be able to coach the likes of ‘Teddy’ (back James Tedesco) and Joey,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“You don’t need to train them much at all. They know the game better than you. You have to create an environment for them to perform, that’s our job.”

with AAP

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