Nasi Manu

Nasi Manu

Birth name	Tavake Liukanasi Manu
Date of birth	(1988-08-15) 15 August 1988
Place of birth	Lincoln, New Zealand
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
School	Christchurch Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)	Daniel Manu (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker or No. 8 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2015– Edinburgh () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2007–2015 Canterbury 71 (65) Correct as of 19 October 2014 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2008–2009 2010−2015 Crusaders Highlanders 16 65 (5) (5) Correct as of 5 July 2015 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2008 New Zealand U20 4 (5)

Nasi 'Nacho' Manu (born 15 August 1988) is a professional rugby union player. He represented the Highlanders and Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and Co-captained ( along with Ben Smith) the Highlanders to the 2015 Super Rugby title in his last game before heading to Scotland's capital to continue his career for Edinburgh. He played for Canterbury in the ITM Cup. He plays at Flanker or number 8.

Playing career

School boy rugby

While at Christchurch Boys' High School, Manu appeared alongside All Blacks Matt Todd, Colin Slade and Owen Franks as well as former Crusader Tim Bateman.

Provincial Rugby

Manu 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.

Super Rugby

Manu 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.

International Play

Manu 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.

Personal

Manu 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 short stint with rugby in NSW playing for the Sydney University Rugby Club. And youngest brother Taniela Manu plays representative rugby for Canterbury age groups.

Achievements

2007 Canterbury Junior Sports Person of the Year, Hadlee Awards

External links

• Canterbury Profile