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.
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“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.
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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.
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