‘Phenomenon’ Samu Manoa can be even bigger in France

High-profile signing Samu Manoa is already proving a big hit with fans in Toulon before he has even delivered one of his trademark bone-crunching tackles.
The 30-year-old, who made the switch from Premiership side Northampton Saints at the end of last season having signed an unprecedented four-year deal with the Top 14 giants, is settling into his new home and coming to terms with his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
“We’re just trying to get used to the heat again,” joked the USA international, who emerged as a major force during his four seasons at Franklin’s Gardens before moving to the sun-drenched south of France.
If Manoa was in any doubt about the importance of rugby to the residents of his new home before his arrival, he did not have to wait long for a reminder.
“The first couple of days I was here, my family and I were in the supermarket trying to get some stuff and suddenly four or five people surrounded me and were talking French at me,” explained Manoa, who will not make his debut for the three-time European champions until after the Rugby World Cup.
“I went ‘Sorry, I don’t know what you guys are saying!’. They were saying ‘RCT, RCT’ and I was like yeah, I play rugby, and they said, ‘Samu Manoa!’
“I was like you guys already know me? So I took some photos and then some others started started to go ‘Samu Manoa! Samu Manoa!’ at which point it was time to go!”
Manoa is determined to hit the ground running following his World Cup commitments and has issued a warning to his rivals in French rugby’s top flight – and in his own star-studded squad – by vowing to become a better player.
“This is a new team with some world class players from all over the world so I have got to step my game up or else,” said Manoa. “You never go back in rugby, you always go forward.”
Despite his undoubted star power, Manoa faces stiff competition for a starting berth at his new club.
His rivals for the No.8 shirt include fellow newcomer and South Africa superstar No.8 Duane Vermeulen, Argentinian veteran Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and former England back-row Steffon Armitage, who has acted ‘as the perfect host’ since Manoa’s arrival earlier this summer.
The versatile Manoa could also feature at second- row but may find his path blocked by another high-profile recruit in the form of Ireland‘s Paul O’Connell – but he is relishing the challenge he faces.
“I played a lot of second row for Northampton. I came in as a No.8 and they turned me into a lock. So it doesn’t really matter to me as long as I am on the field. I am still going to get around,” insisted Manoa.
“If I am leaning towards a position it will be No.8 because I will get my hands on the ball more, but I will play wherever the team needs me.”
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal clearly has high hopes for Manoa having labelled the 6ft 6in and 19st man-mountain a ‘rugby phenomenon’ but the player is refusing to get caught up in the hype.
“I don’t know about that,” said a modest Manoa. “I’m with a new team now so and I’m already loving being around these guys. I guess he just likes what I do, so I am going to just keep on doing what I do.”
GRAHAM JENKINS