Tavake Lecanus Liukanasi Manu (born 15 August 1988) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He played in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for Mitre 10 Cup side, Otago.[1][2] Manu also represented Tonga at international level.
| Full name | Tavake Lecanus Liukanasi Manu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 August 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Lincoln, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 118 kg (18 st 8 lb; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Christchurch Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Daniel Manu (uncle) Sika Manu (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editSchool boy rugby
editWhile at Christchurch Boys' High School, Manu appeared alongside All Blacks Matt Todd, Colin Slade and Owen Franks as well as former Crusader Tim Bateman.[3]
Provincial Rugby
editManu made his debut for Canterbury in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup scoring a try on his debut against Counties Manukau at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland.
After missing the start of the 2010 ITM Cup with a knee injury, Manu was in excellent form through the latter part of the season, culminating in strong performances in the semi-final and final as Canterbury won the ITM Cup.
In the 2011 ITM Cup, Manu started every match as Canterbury won the title for the fourth consecutive season. From 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, he named for Otago squad.[4]
Super Rugby
editManu earned a Crusaders contract for the 2008 Super 14 season at the age of just 19, and emerged as a regular performer for the club, making 12 appearances and two starts as the Crusaders rampaged to the Super 14 title.
In 2009, however, Manu was unable to build on the success of his freshman campaign, and was limited to only four appearances and one start.
Looking for more playing time, Manu shifted to the Highlanders for the 2010 Super 14 season. However, his season ended up being a total write-off as, after winning the starting job at number 8 in the preseason, he suffered a knee injury early in the season-opening contest against the Crusaders and was ruled out for the remainder of the competition.
In 2011, Manu managed to stay healthy and put in an excellent campaign, starting every match at number eight for the Highlanders.
Manu suffered a foot injury in the opening game of the 2013 Super Rugby season and was ruled out for the rest of the year. Healthy again for 2014, he was named co-captain of the Highlanders alongside Ben Smith.
European Rugby
editAfter the experience with Edinburgh Rugby, from 2017 to 2020 he played with Benetton.[5][6] [7]
International Play
editManu was a member of New Zealand's squad on their run to the world under-19 title in 2007 and under-20 title in 2008. He also was part of the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2005 and 2006.
Post-playing Career
editSince retiring in 2022, Manu has taken up a position as the Environment Welfare Manager at the Highlanders.[8]
Personal
editManu is the nephew of the former Auckland and Wallaby loose forward Daniel Manu and is the cousin of David Manu and Sika Manu of the Melbourne Storm. His younger brother Vaka Manu had a 1-year stint with rugby in Scotland playing for the Stirling County Rugby Club in 2015–16. And second youngest brother Taniela Manu currently plays in the Mitre 10 cup for Northland.
Achievements
edit2007 Canterbury Junior Sports Person of the Year, Hadlee Awards
- Canterbury
•Air New Zealand/ITM Cup: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Crusaders
•Super Rugby: 2008
- Highlanders
•Super Rugby: 2015
References
edit- ^ "Otago signs Hohneck, Manu, Vahaakolo". Otago Daily Times. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ "Mitre 10 Cup Preview: Otago 2020".
- ^ Gareth Llewellyn (3 July 2015). "Edinburgh new signing Nasi Manu open to Scotland call | Rugby union". The Sport Review. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- ^ "Otago signs Hohneck, Manu, Vahaakolo". 11 August 2020.
- ^ "Edinburgh Rugby sign Highlanders No 8 Nasi Manu in New Zealand". Sky Sports. 23 March 2015.
- ^ "Nasi Manu to leave Edinburgh and join Pro12 rivals Treviso". BBC Sport. 12 April 2017.
- ^ "Benetton Rugby Saluta Gli 8 Leoni Che Lasciano Il Club". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). 16 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/landers-chat/landers-chat-nasi-manu-opens-about-his-new-role
External links
edit- Nasi Manu at ESPNscrum
- Nasi Manu at Mobile Gaming Arcade
- Nasi Manu at ItsRugby.co.uk