A neck injury to new recruit and towering winger Dominic Young has ruled him out of the first game, but also spared Robinson from having to choose between him, Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Billy Smith and Daniel Tupou for the two centre and wing spots.

Robinson confirmed after the club’s main trial against Manly that Manu would pursue rugby at the end of the season, and although a deal was yet to be struck, said: “He has been here since he was a kid. [But] he wants to go and experience another country. He grew up playing union, so he wants to do that.”

Manu is expected to leave the Roosters for good to take up a lucrative rugby contract in France or Japan next year.

On Tuesday, he was sheepish about his next move, but was hopeful of getting something sorted “so I can focus on the rest of the year”.

“I haven’t really sorted things yet; once I do, I’ll know where my head is at,” Manu said.

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New recruit and three-time Penrith premiership winner Spencer Leniu will debut for the Roosters in Las Vegas against a Brisbane side that features Cobbo in the centres, Corey Jensen up front, Brendan Piakura taking over from Kurt Capewell in the back row, and Deine Mariner edging out Corey Oates for a wing spot.

Tom Trbojevic returns for Manly in his first game back since Origin II last year when he ruptured his pec, while Cody Walker has overcome a calf injury and starts in the halves for South Sydney.

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