Portugal Colonial - Staniforth predicts All Blacks honours for 'freak' Manu before Top 14 match-up

Manu joined Racing and their big-name backline including Gael Fickou and Josua Tuisova this summer after originally switching from rugby league to union with Japan's Toyota Verblitz in 2024.

The 29-year-old from Hamilton had spent eight years in the NRL, winning the Premiership twice with Staniforth's beloved Sydney Roosters and has looked comfortable in western Paris so far this campaign.

"He's been a freak for the Roosters for 10 years or so," Staniforth said.

"He's got some phenomenal players up there to learn from and to try and progress his rugby.

"I'm sure he'll be trying to aim for that World Cup with the All Blacks in two years," he added.

Former Wallabies under-20s second-row Staniforth moved to France with Castres five years ago, making a name for himself as one the Top 14's leading tacklers before a horror ankle injury in June 2024.

The 31-year-old made his return to competitive action on September 13 having gone to England for surgery on the ankle issue and recovering from contracting the staphylococcus bacteria.

Castres have stumbled so far this season, winning just one of their opening four games.

"It was a weird feeling because you just had so many emotions," Staniforth said of his return.

"I was a bit stressed, nervous, scared a little bit just because you just want it all to go well.

"You're not really actually thinking too much about the rugby, you just want to get through it," he added.

- 'Unreal' passion -

Since Staniforth's arrival in rugby-mad Castres, with its population of 42,000 people just to the east of Toulouse, he has become a cult-figure at Stade Pierre-Fabre, which can hold more than quarter of the town's inhabitants.

The 198cm-tall forward helped them to the 2022 Top 14 final, and his iconic mullet haircut and heroic defensive efforts have won over the ardent supporter base at the club.

"I love how passionate they are," the jovial Staniforth said.

"Coming from Australia where rugby has really struggled for the past five, 10 years.

"To come to France where people genuinely love it.

"If you're playing well, the community's happy, flags are out and everything.

"It's unreal," he added.

The next Rugby World Cup will be held in Staniforth's home country but the former Brumbies and Waratahs forward remains focused on playing for five-time French champions Castres.

"I'm really happy here in France. It's not something I'm searching for, to play for the Wallabies," Staniforth said.

"I sort of knew when I left there, that the door was closing," he added.

Another giant Australian set to bulldoze his way in the Top 14 is prop Taniela Tupou, who will join this weekend's opponents in December and fluent French speaker Staniforth had advice for the front-rower.

"Enjoy the French lifestyle. Enjoy the different type of rugby," Staniforth said.

"Just take it all in and enjoy it because it's an incredible experience.

"Learn French and just try your best to enjoy it and to get settled in quickly," he added.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Saturday

Montpellier v La Rochelle (1230), Clermont v Montauban, Castres v Racing 92, Toulon v Pau, Perpignan v Stade Francais (1435), Bordeaux-Begles v Lyon (1900)

Sunday

Bayonne v Toulouse (1905)

X.M.Francisco--PC