Despite claims to the contrary from his manager, Parramatta winger Semi Radradra says he’s not decided if he’ll remain with the beleaguered NRL club.
Radradra flew to his native Fiji last weekend after helping the Eels to victory over South Sydney amid speculation he is to sign a deal to play French rugby.
Parramatta released a statement on Monday saying the winger had returned home with the club’s consent for a short visit and manager George Christodoulou said his client would definitely be running out against Cronulla on July 2.
However, Radradra told News Corp Australia he’s still mulling over his future and refused to rule out a switch to Europe.
“I haven’t made a decision on anything,” Radradra said.
“I’m just here to see my family and talk through it with them.
“I’m just here to have a break.”
Radradra’s sister Vaseva Waqatuva told News Corp she was looking forward to helping her brother work out his future.
“No, he has not made a decision yet.
“He’ll be on the island later this week and is coming to talk to Dad and the rest of the family about that.”
Radradra received some support from an unlikely source in South Sydney prop Tom Burgess who has openly declared a desire to play in the NFL and recently worked out with five teams.
“People have ambition and that is just human nature, you have ambition, and you want to go on and play in a different country and have a new life experience,” Burgess said.
“I met Semi in the All Stars camp this year and I wish him all the best in whatever he decides on doing.
“Obviously people in the rugby league world want him to stay because he is a great athlete and he is a great asset to our sport but he has to do what is best for him at the end of the day.”
Cedric
Guest
yep go the Wallabies, it's just like SOO, players from everywhere, a joke!
Cedric
Guest
the statement is like the old tv show, " Lost in Space ".
Scar82
Guest
It would be good for him to go play rugby in France then the wallabies should pounce and recruit him over to play for Australia. They badly need a good finisher. Watch the wallabies rubbing their hands and putting an offer via a super rugby club in the next couple of years. Semi wearing the number 14 or playing centre at 13 woud be awesome.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I can't understand why everyone is 'outraged' at the thought of him moving on for money. He only joined Parramatta for money. Every player in the comp plays for money. When someone says they're doing it for a new challenge everyone rolls their eyes and says 'yeah right'. If this is the best decision for him, good luck to him. He won't just bail out on Parramatta - the contract situation will be sorted out by mutual agreement. Regardless of how good they are wingers in league can only earn so much. There's a bit more for them in rugby.
Baracuda
Guest
BigJ Radradra is well within his rights to leave. Bordeaux would pay out his contract with parramatta from August through to April next year (transfer fee). In the modern game loyalty is nothing and the eels can actually profit from Bordeaux's fee. In European sports contracts are broken every 6 months...
Joe
Roar Rookie
There is only one reason he is going and that would be for the money. If the numbers being touted are to be believed he is getting about double or more than what he gets at the Eels. The problem is he has signed a contract for 3 years at the Eels which he should honour or get a bad reputation. I would completely understand though if he doesn't. He has the opportunity to set himself and his family up for life. 250k at the eels for 3 years compared to double that if he leaves. With 250k for 3 years he will struggle to buy a house, most likely get a flat or buy house in Fiji. At 24 years of age he has about 4 years where he will be at his peak and earning the big bucks with the ever present risk of being one injury away from losing it all anyway. His value will be much less at 29 years of age than it is now so why not make as much money as possible while he can. Double salary means 1 year playing Union OS relaxing on the wing compared to 2 years in the toughest League comp in the world hitting it up into hard hitting giant forward packs. In the end if it were me and the choice was between stuffing up my reputation in the NRL forever compared to setting up myself for life with less impact on my body? Then in regards to your headline it would be "Pass the toilet paper cause I'm done and whens the next flight out?"
bigJ
Guest
true steve, but if the NRL is stupid enough to let him go and break contract for more money than thants the NRL's fault. the NRL has allowed the contracts to hold as much weight as a sign on day for an under six team. this is where the NRl needs to hold players to thier commitments and not allow them to do whatever they please.
steveng
Roar Rookie
'theHunter' yes 'we did'. I didn't want him playing for the 'Kangaroos', because he's a Fijian and he only did that for the money, like he's doing or considering his departure to that French union club. Now that he's had a better offer in union, he's off and wants to break whatever contract he has in the NRL, he doesn't care. Not a good image to set for Semi, as he can't be trusted and his credibility will be shot for any future club that signs him!
bigJ
Guest
if he goes hell be back they always come back !!!! he is just looking for a way to create some publicity for himself and/or try to walk out on the EEls so some other team can snap him up. as the headline says Just take your crap on the eels and move on, anyway everybody else has this year.
theHunter
Guest
How can contracts in League be taken seriously when you have players playing for more than one club in one year or having players representing two nations in an year? I have always stated that the superpowers manipulate the laws and rules to suit them. and Yes of course it was the money, I just dislike the fact that many people dissed that when he opted for OZ but when he is opting against League they only think about money being the reason. Money talks...OZ had more than Fiji, and now (like always) Union has more than League....People shouldn't be one-eyed, he is doing it for the money like every other quality employee would seek....
peeeko
Guest
its interesting how you twist it the way you want. i believe that most people knoew he was doing it for the money. trouble is this time he has a contract
theHunter
Guest
It's funny how OZ fans aren't happy with this news....Most of you never had a problem with him choosing OZ over Fiji and never agreed that money was a lure....but when they decide to switch codes that is all you talk about....(salary cap, TPAs, millions of $$$, etc...)
pete bloor
Guest
Yes the bastions of integrity, the Parramatta eels, insist he play by the rules and honour his commitment.
smell the fear
Guest
agree, hearsay is getting out of control
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Let's have the live audio and/or video footage of these supposed interviews. These made up stories regarding the words of Semi and his sister are complete BS
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Show him tha money!!!! :)
nerval
Guest
That's simply the best headline I've ever read on the Roar.
Mike L
Guest
"Parramatta winger Semi Radradra says he’s not decided if he’ll remain with the beleaguered NRL club." - Sorry mate, I don't think there is anything to decide. You signed a contract stating you are an Eel for the next few seasons. At the time you were very happy with the deal and so were the Eels. Now your value has gone up and you are wanting out to chase more money. What would you be doing if your form had dropped and the Eels came to you saying they wanted you to take a pay cut? Signing contracts for longer than a season or two is the gamble players (& clubs) must take. Do you sign a short term contract (SBW) knowing that you can keep up or improve your form and therefore your value, or do you sign a long term deal, and then only need to have good form at contract time (F Mateo) and the rest of the time you can just cruise. Contracts can always be cancelled/amended, but this would need to be by mutual consent of both parties, so rather than running off to France (via Fiji) perhaps sit down with the Eels and re-negotiate.