Morris signing to help Manu remain under the radar

Premiership-winning centre Joey Manu believes the arrival of Josh Morris will allow the Roosters' back line to be more settled across both edges again following the departure of Latrell Mitchell.

The Tricolours used Brett Morris in the centres for the opening two rounds of the season before his twin gained a release from the Sharks to join them prior to the competition's suspension in March.

Rather than lifting his own work rate and becoming a more dominant attacking figure in Trent Robinson's line-up, Manu wasn't expecting to be told to do anything differently.

The Kiwi international continues to work with inexperienced halfback Kyle Flanagan on the right edge, while Angus Crichton is also set to be a key figure after returning from illness in round two.

"I think there's a slight difference but not too much change from last year," Manu said.

"We've still got players inside and outside me on my edge there. In terms of attack I might get a bit more ball [but] with Luke Keary on the left edge, he's the dominant half so his running is still down that left edge.

"We've still got guys like Teddy [James Tedesco] and [Luke] Keary running around in attack so I'm just happy to play my part in the team.

"I'm not looking to put myself out there but when I've got the ball or have to come up with the defensive read I'm trying to my best for the team."

Manu's former teammate Mitchell, who feared complacency if he remained at Bondi after two premiership titles in as many years, will line up against his old club when the competition resumes in less than a fortnight.

For Manu, just a year old than Mitchell, he's not feeling the same complacency fears despite accomplishing similar achievements over the past two seasons.

"I wake up every day wanting to be better," Manu said.

"I still feel like I've got to learn on the field and at this club there's a lot of great coaches and players like the Morris boys.

"What I've seen from Josh is his defence, when I was watching him come through he was one of the best defensive centres that the game has had in a while. I'm trying to learn a bit off him.

"We've got [assistant coaches] Craig Fitzgibbon, Matt King and Nathan Cayless – there's a lot of experience there."

The scheduled Friday night clash with the Rabbitohs will follow with a trip north of the border to face the Broncos the following Thursday.

Back-to-back losses to start the season left the Roosters in unfamiliar territory but presents a challenge for Trent Robinson's champion side to take on in a bid for a third consecutive premiership.

"Obviously we want to pick up the lessons from those first two games but then it's sort of like a fresh start for us with the time off," Manu said.

 "It's been good just getting away from footy and focusing on myself and becoming a better person.

"I had a focus around my sleeping and eating. When we went away Robbo said to focus on ourselves. I appreciated the little things a bit more."