Parramatta are being urged to cut loose troubled star Semi Radradra as the club begins its rebuild following a disastrous 2016 season.
Not for the first time this year, Radradra’s NRL future is up in the air and he is being linked with a move to European rugby union.
Confusion reigns over Radradra’s future after French club Toulon released a statement saying they had signed the Fijian-born winger for the 2017 Top 14 season.
While Radradra’s loss would be felt by the club, and the game in Australia, Eels great Brett Kenny says they’re better off without him and he’s proving an unwanted distraction for coach Brad Arthur.
“I’m getting tired of Semi now,” Kenny told Fox Sports.
“It’s something the club doesn’t need. They were in turmoil last football season and they want to start fresh and get on with what they’ve got to do.
“I think it’s time for Semi to say goodbye to Parramatta or more so for Parramatta to say goodbye to Semi.”
Kenny argued Radradra was not worth the effort and no one is bigger than the game.
“They’ve got some good young players down there and you can’t afford to have someone going on the way Semi’s going on,” Kenny said.
Toulon announced on its website on Monday night the Parramatta winger would join the Top 14 club next year for their new season starting in August.
However his manager George Christodoulou was quick to deny a deal with the 24-year-old, who is contracted to the Eels for the 2017 NRL season, had been done.
More about Radradra’s future is expected on Wednesday after he faces court on domestic violence charges.
Radradra arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday evening after flying out of Fiji to visit his sick father but refused to answer any questions from the waiting media.
He failed to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Monday to answer three charges of domestic violence brought by his former partner Perina Ting, angering the magistrate who threatened to issue a warrant for his arrest unless he presented to the court.
Radradra’s loss would leave the club with a massive hole in their salary cap following the exit of Kieran Foran to address personal issues earlier in the year.
It would also present Arthur and his recruitment team with unprecedented opportunity and significant room to move in the salary cap, with many of the game’s top stars off contract at the end of 2017.
The Eels have gone on a backline recruitment drive for next year, picking up troubled former South Sydney premiership winner Kirisome Auva’a, ex-New Zealand Test fullback Josh Hoffman and George Jennings, the highly-rated younger brother of speedster Michael.
With Bevan French to move into fullback to replace Michael Gordon’s loss, Radradra’s departure would create big opportunities in the Eels backline.
Earlier in the year Radradra was linked with an immediate move to rugby union while on a club-sanctioned hiatus in his native Fiji.
Jacko
Guest
However the whole mercenary thing is OK at club level but it is not OK to change your citizenship and play for another country simply (and self confessed motive) to help relieve his family from some form of poverty (money) I cant think of many better reasons than leaving poverty behind. Thats not greed, thats logic and common sense
Parrafan
Guest
Just because he was a club legend 30 years ago doesn't give him an entitlement to critique players or the club today. It does nothing to assist the club or the player and creates more drama that to date has almost exclusively been caused by media speculation.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
And I think he's right .
Chook
Guest
Well sorry I think he is entitled..don't you?
NovaKay
Guest
How'd I know it was Brett Kenny before I even looked at the article? Not shy in weighing in with his two bob on just about every Parra issue under the sun is he?
Ches
Guest
Of course he is and I would be as well if I were him. He is obviously a man whose career actions are heavily influenced by his family and desire to give them as well as himself a better way of life (just like many here). However the whole mercenary thing is OK at club level but it is not OK to change your citizenship and play for another country simply (and self confessed motive) to help relieve his family from some form of poverty (money) Sure people like Semi should be able to move their lives here, play for Australia but the motive should be, out of respect, they love this country and people for the opportunity to improve his life and they are now proud Australian's 1st & foremost. There is plenty of money to made at club level in multiple codes if the desire is there and not bring Reps into it.
Steve
Guest
People complaining he's a mercenary, of course he is. The only reason he played rugby league in the first place was because of money.