The New Zealander Joseph Manu had his jersey ripped off amid the Pacific Championship game against Samoa. Manu’s jersey was ripped off his body in the middle of the first half during a tackle, leaving the Sydney Roosters player shirtless. Amid the shirtless run, Manu also got multiple hits.
The cheeky commentators also passed on comments at the hilarious incident. “They don’t make (the jerseys) like they used to – they need the woolen ones back,” Mat Thompson quipped in for Nine. Although, Joseph Manu received a jersey at stoppage time.
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Joey Manu better put a new jersey on soon, sick of people messaging me and asking me if we're related.
— Braden (@bradenstwit) October 21, 2024
https://twitter.com/DylanMatthews91/status/1715602517386826054?t=UUCsjEXdIoLqMsrbL12hew&s=19
Someone get Manu a new Jersey… or don’t #JoeyManu #PacificChampionships
— The Cast Patrol (@thecastpatrol) October 21, 2024
A fan even pointed an exciting addition to be made to the current NRL format. An X user said that instead of the four clubs competing in the exciting Round One 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership matches planned for Las Vegas, they could have a Joseph Manu shirtless round.
The Vegas Round will see Manu’s Sydney Roosters up against Brisbane Broncos and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles play South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Hey @NRL instead of wasting money with Vegas Round, how about we start the season with the Joey Manu Round – no jerseys allowed.
This is free advice, the next one will cost you
— Luke (@Wilo6958) October 21, 2024
New Zealand ended up defeating Samoa and fixed a spot in the Pool A finale happening at Hamilton. The 2022 finalists Samoa was a shell of the team they had, completely under the mercy of the Kiwis. However, New Zealand still has a game left in the pool stages against Australia, whom they will meet in the Pool Final in a later stage.
New Zealand alongside Tonga, Samoa, and Australia belong to Pool A. Meanwhile, Fiji, PNG, and Cook Islands make up Group B.