The learning curve continues for Sydney Roosters international Joey Manu as he picks up even more tricks of the trade from True Blue Brett Morris.
The pair played three seasons together on the Roosters right edge. In the space of three games in late 2019, they celebrated Morris’ 250th NRL game (v South Sydney Rabbitohs), and then won the 2019 NRL Grand Final (v Canberra Raiders).
Morris was forced into premature retirement in Round 8 last year when he tore his ACL playing against the Knights. He had already scored 10 tries in seven games in 2021.
But he wasn’t lost to the Roosters after picking up a position as an assistant coach and now the man, who played for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues 15 times, is sharing his knowledge and experience with the Roosters backline, including Manu.
“When I had him outside of me, he always had that knowledge of the game,” the Kiwis centre told the Roosters website. “He was also chipping me up about certain things.
“I wasn’t surprised at all to see him come in as an assistant coach. It’s great to see him there and obviously, it’s a bit different with him in front of the whole team.
“But he’s always had that great knowledge, he’s really smart. He’s so good so I enjoy still learning off him.
“We’ve obviously got that good relationship from when he first came here – being winter-centre partners. I’ve already learned a lot off him and will do more now.”
Morris takes on the Assistant NRL role with the departure of True Blue and former NSW Origin assistant Craig Fitzgibbon, who has been appointed Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks head coach this year.
In addition to Morris’ 15 games for the Blues, he scored 23 tries in 18 Tests for Australia – including nine tries in just five World Cup matches, when the Kangaroos won in 2013.
