Salesi Manu
Prop
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Profile
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Height:
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185cm
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Weight:
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122kg
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Date Of Birth:
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26/09/1990
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Place of Birth:
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Sydney, NSW
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Warringah (NSW)
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Stats
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Super Rugby Caps:
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8
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Super Rugby Debut:
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2012 v Stormers, Perth
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Profile
Salesi Manu is one of the up-and-coming front-rowers in Australian rugby. The bullocking prop joined the Emirates Western Force for 2012 and went on to make his debut against the Stormers. The powerful forward – who can play both loosehead and tighthead – held down the ‘3’ jersey for the final three matches of the season, holding his own against the experienced internationals Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Tony Woodcock (Blues) and Ben Franks (Crusaders). Manu finished off the season by representing North Harbour in New Zealand’s ITM Cup with his dispensation granted by the Australian Rugby Union thus acknowledging him as one of the rising stars of the code. Manu continues to develop into an excellent scrummager, combined with an athleticism not usually reserved for front-row forwards. Despite his relative inexperience, Manu will be pushing hard for selection against the likes of Wallaby props Salesi Ma’afu and Pek Cowan, Kieran Longbottom and Tetera Faulkner.
Timeline
2008
Selected for the Australian Schoolboys, scoring a try in the 24-18 win over Fiji Under 18’s in Brisbane; starts at loosehead prop in the Australian Schoolboys’ first ever away win over New Zealand Schools in New Plymouth (15-11).
2009
Member of the Waratahs Academy; makes his first grade debut with Manly who finish fifth in Sydney’s Shute Shield before being knocked out by Eastwood 32-21 in their elimination semi-final.
2010
Plays five matches and starts at loosehead prop for the Australian Under 20 side that finishes runner-up to New Zealand in the IRB Junior World Championship final in Argentina; represents Manly who are knocked out of Sydney’s Shute Shield in the elimination semi-final against Randwick, 29-25.
2011
Represents Warringah in Sydney’s Shute Shield; signs with the Emirates Western Force.
2012
Makes his Super Rugby debut against Stormers in Week 10; starting debut against the Brumbies in Perth and holds down a the run-on tighthead role for the final three matches of the season; awarded the Emirates Western Force’s Rising Star; starting loosehead for North Harbour in the ITM Cup.