Parramatta have landed a major coup by extending the contract of Semi Radradra until the end of the 2018 season, handing the try-scoring sensation a huge pay rise in the process.
The former Fijian rugby sevens player had been the target of overseas offers from the 15-man code but the Eels have been desperate to retain the 21-year-old, who has gained a cult following since making his NRL debut late last season.
However, the club on Tuesday finalised a three-year extension for Radradra, who was contracted to the blue-and-golds until the end of 2015 but is now set to be part of the furniture at Pirtek Stadium for at least the next four and a half years.
Called the 'Semi-Trailer' by fans Radradra tops the NRL try-scoring tally with 11 so far this campaign for Brad Arthur's team, who are running seventh after 12 rounds despite a 38-12 defeat to Penrith last Friday night.
"Parramatta fans going to get some great news today," tweeted Eels forward Darcy Lussick on Tuesday, alluding to the winger's contract extension.
"The great semi-trailer will be scoring 4 pointers at Parra stadium for many years to come."
A revelation for the Eels during the inaugural Auckland Nines pre-season tournament Radradra's exhilarating start to this year's NRL premiership prompted Brisbane and Test centre Justin Hodges to compare him to past dual-international powerhouses Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri.
Playing on a modest second-tier deal the 105kg flyer has thrived despite being a relative newcomer to rugby league, crossing for a hat-trick of tries in round one against the Warriors and not looking back.
His ascent led to interest from Japanese and French rugby clubs but the Eels have seized on the urgency to tie up one of their most potent, and crowd-pulling, commodities.
It is unclear what impact the Radradra upgrade will have on the future of Parramatta's other winger Ken Sio, who is off contract at the end of the season.
The Eels, meanwhile, on Tuesday said they had declined a request by the NRL to shift their round-19 fixture against South Sydney from Pirtek Stadium, where they are unbeaten this season, to ANZ Stadium.
The restrictions on the capacity at Pirtek were demonstrated by a sell-out crowd of 18,631 that witnessed their demolition of St George Illawarra last month and the NRL are keen for major Sydney derbies to be played at larger grounds under their NRL Right Game, Right Venue strategy. The Eels, however, have stood by plans to keep the Souths game at their home base.
“Pirtek Stadium has been a fortress for the Eels this year, and after promising our members and fans the game would be played there, we fully intend to honour that commitment,” Eels CEO Scott Seward said.
