Jennings is free to return from his 1266-day NRL ban as rugby-bound players consider a Roosters reunion.
After spending three years out of the NRL, Michael Jennings has the opportunity to “rewrite his story,” according to Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
After their high-profile code changes, rugby-bound talents Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii targeted a possible Roosters reunion. The possibility that Jennings may rejoin the NRL adds even more drama to an already intense match between the game’s oldest rivals.
among Friday’s match against South Sydney, Jennings will start as the 18th man on the field after the Roosters amended his contract to include him among the club’s top 30 players, which carries a $120,000 minimum pay.
The NRL has verified the registration of the contract, meaning Jennings will be eligible to play in his first game in 1266 days following a three-year ban for testing positive for the drugs Ibutamoren and LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) during Parramatta’s 2020 finals campaign.
After being suspended for a year, Jennings and his ex-wife Kirra Wilden got into a court dispute because she claimed the 2013 premiership champion had abused her both verbally and sexually while they were together. Jennings refuted the claims made.
Should he remain 18th man when the Roosters confirm their squad an hour before kick-off against the Rabbitohs, Jennings could take to the field under the NRL’s concussion substitute rules.
“There’s a desire to rewrite his story,” Robinson said after Jennings impressed at NSW Cup level to start the season, confirming also that Luke Keary is in line to return from his 11-day concussion stand down next Thursday against Penrith.
“There was a carrot there to get his life and career back on track and that was himself but also through the Roosters.
“I didn’t feel like he was done, he didn’t feel like he was done, but he’s had to work for it … We know we’ve got that [depth] but we like to think some of them might be missing at different times as well throughout the year. ”
While centre Billy Smith is ahead of Jennings in the Roosters’ pecking order, the club is preparing for life without Suaalii and Manu next season as they embark on multi-million dollar rugby moves.
Manu confirmed he is in negotiations with Japanese rugby outfit Toyota Verblitz, coached by All Blacks World Cup winner Steve Hansen, with the length of any contract still being worked through.
The prospect of Manu returning to the Roosters, potentially as early as 2025, has been suggested, though the Kiwi star is targeting at least a two-year stint in the 15-man code.
Robinson and Roosters boss Nick Politis have both stressed that Manu and Suaalii would be welcome back at the club, with Politis telling Nine News late last year: “It’s sad that we’ve lost [Suaalii] to union, but he tells us he’s coming back in 2028.”
There is plenty of water to pass under the bridge before then, not least the Roosters’ salary cap situation, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s arrival from rugby and interest in rising Waratahs star Max Jorgensen.
However, Manu stated that in the future, he hoped to see Suaalii again with the Roosters.
“Playing beside him would be awesome, hopefully in the future, maybe at the Roosters,” Manu remarked. “This group has greatly helped me. Well, hopefully. I’m not sure how this will all turn out.
“Since I’ve been deciding to play rugby, I’ve spoken with him occasionally and observed his thought process. We are conversing despite the fact that we are traveling somewhat different but in the same direction overall. He will undoubtedly return there for a while, and I believe he will excel in rugby.
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