ONE of Manly’s biggest stars has backed Trent Barrett to lead the club long-term, saying the Sea Eagles should move quickly to keep the coach beyond the contract which runs out at the end of next season.

NSW and Australian representative forward Jake Trbojevic lamented Manly’s late-season form and exit from the finals but said Barrett was the man to lead the club forward.

“It was disappointing but where we’d come from the last few years it was exciting to play finals footy,” Trbojevic said.

“It only makes us more hungry for next year.

“(Barrett is) a good coach on the field and off the field he’s a great coach for club culture. I hope they sign him up long-term.”

Trbojevic’s wishes are likely to be granted, with Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn telling foxsports.com.au a deal to keep Barrett on the Northern Beaches until the end of 2020 wasn’t far away.

Trbojevic was speaking to Big Sports Breakfast from Suva in Fiji where the Kangaroos squad has been preparing for its World Cup campaign.

He said the chance to join Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos was the perfect chance to learn from some of rugby league’s great players.

“I’m just really enjoying it and any opportunity you get to play for the Kangaroos you take with both hands,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great experience and a real learning curve for me and my brother (Tom Trbojevic) and we’re just looking to soak up as much as we can.”

The Kangaroos begin their World Cup campaign against England in Melbourne on October 27.