Manu Ma'u

Former Eels forward set to be on lookout for new club

He has been playing at Hull since 2020.

Published by
Scott Pryde

Former Parramatta Eels forward Manu Ma'u is set to be on the lookout for a new club in 2023.

A barnstorming second rower during his 115 NRL appearances with the Parramatta Eels, Ma'u moved to Hull FC in the English Super League ahead of the 2020 season.

He has gone on to play almost 50 games to this point for the English club, but is off-contract at the end of the season and the Hull Daily Mail are reporting the club will not offer him a new deal to remain in black and white.

Ma'u has endured a frustrating start to his time in England following being convinced to leave the NRL, with just 13 games played in his opening year due to coronavirus and the shutdown of the competition.

He has been at his best over the past 24 months, and despite being 33 years of age, has shown no signs that he is ready to slow down.

Given Ma'u didn't make his NRL debut with the Eels until the 2014 season, when he was already 25 years of age, he may well be able to play on for a handful more years before formally calling it a day on his career.

A Tongan international with ten caps, Ma'u also represented New Zealand six times in 2016, with the Auckland-born forward still likely to have plenty to offer.

He is also a contender to play in the end of year Rugby League World Cup for Tonga.

Playing under Brett Hodgson and alongside former NRL players Josh Reynolds, Chris Satae and Kane Evans, the team finished eighth last year, but are on the improve in 2022, currently sitting in fifth spot on the English Super League ladder.

It's not clear at this stage if any NRL clubs would entertain an offer for Ma'u, who has not made it clear at this stage whether he would like to remain in the Northern Hemisphere, or return to Australia.

Published by
Scott Pryde