Mark Carroll issues warning to rugby union about code-hopping NRL stars Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu

Former league international Mark Carroll has urged Roosters coach Trent Robinson not to lose sleep over Joey Manu's departure to rugby, declaring boredom will bring the utility star back to rugby league. Manu will exit the NRL next year to take up a lucrative deal with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz and has given no guarantee of a return.

Robinson fears Manu may be gone from rugby league for good. "It's a huge loss for us and the game," the Roosters boss said. "It was done in the right way and it was really transparent but you can't downplay losing Joey Manu - there's not someone who's going to walk in and do that role.

"I don't know if he will be back. I'd like it to be the assumption that he does return here but there's definitely nothing there about him returning otherwise I'd be a little bit happier right now. After this year I'm not sure I'll see him again in a professional sense."

But Carroll, who played 184 first grade and represented NSW and Australia, is convinced both Manu and his Roosters teammate will make their way back to the NRL after their respective stints in rugby union. He predicted the duo will miss the buzz, profile and drama the game provides off the field and the frenetic, all-action product on the field.

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Mark Carroll says Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii will be back when rugby deals end

Manu and Suaalii, who will play for the Waratahs and Wallabies next year, played starring roles in the Roosters' big Anzac Day win over St George Illawarra before a full house at Allianz Stadium. In his regular column for The Nightly website, Spudd wrote: "If I’m ever having trouble sleeping, I don’t reach for Mrs Spudd’s camomile tea to send me off to the land of nod.

"I’ll simply pick up the remote and switch channels to a Super Rugby game. "Within minutes I’m stacking Zzzzz’s. So, to the two Joeys, I say this. Try to enjoy your time in rugby and don’t worry about getting hurt because things rarely get too physical. We'll leave the key under the mat for your return in a couple of years."

Contacted by Yahoo Sport Australia, Carroll doubled down on his comments. He said: "I meant every word of it. Those blokes will return richer and will have seen a bit of the world, but they've had to play rugby to do it.

"They will touch the ball five times a game and spend the rest of it chasing box kicks. They will be desperate to return after a year or two. It's like leaving the set of the Fast and the Furious for Neighbours.

"They will miss the profile and excitement playing in the NRL brings. Rugby league has nothing to worry about. Rugby is no great threat."