Vagana at the Cup crossroads
NIGEL Vagana's plans to lead Samoa to the Rugby League World Cup could be kicked to touch by cash-rich French rugby scouts hunting the dumped Rabbitohs centre.
In an exclusive interview, Vagana has told
Sunday News of his agonising choice between playing for his beloved Samoan side or accepting a code-switching offer which will set up his young family for life.
"I have been trying to do my bit to get the Samoan team up and running all year,'' said Vagana, left in financial limbo after being told by Souths he isn't wanted for 2009.
"What I didn't realise is that union starts up pretty soon in the northern hemisphere. And if something was to happen, I guess I will have to try and speak to the club involved and see if I can get some sort of exemption (to delay joining them until after the October World Cup).
"I'm still really keen to play for Samoa.
"I wouldn't like to be in the position where it comes down to me choosing between a deal for a couple of years and setting up the family or playing in (the league) tournament for one month.
"Hopefully, it doesn't come down to that."
Vagana, who has played 38 games for the Kiwis and has a 13-year NRL and Super League career, says should he be forced to make the decision, it will be the hardest of his life.
"I haven't really told my agents what I want to do yet," he said.
"They are, I guess, just sending feelers out here and there and waiting on me to decide.
"I'd like to sort my future out sooner rather than later. It's about what's best for my family."
But the dad-of-two wants league fans to know he isn't selling out on the game that has made him a household name.
"I want people to know that I'm not choosing to leave to go to union," said Vagana, who played for the Warriors, Bulldogs, Sharks and Rabbitohs.
"I know a lot of people are talking about how so many league boys are leaving to go to union for the money.
"I've been a league boy through and through. I grew up with the game and started playing with Richmond from the time I was seven years old."
"The time comes, though, when you have to make decisions. I thought I was doing one thing next year and that's not going to happen now.
"If a union club works out to be the best option for my family and I, so be it."
Vagana, whose wife Sadhana is seven months pregnant, had expected to stay with Souths next season but a clause in his contract stipulated he had to play nine first-grade games this year. He's only played six and has been dropped from the top side since round 12.
Vagana, who says he has "two good years left in top-level football", wasn't keen to discuss his treatment at the Rabbitohs this year.
But close friends have told
Sunday News he's devastated at being axed.
"I guess it's been a pretty adventurous year and at the end of the day it's a business for the Rabbitohs as well," Vagana said.
"It's been a tough year at times. (But) I've been around the sport long enough to know that this is the nature of the business and it's something you have to deal with."