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Eels flyer Semi Radradra has opened up about his future in the NRL
DAVID RICCIO, The Sunday Telegraph
December 3, 2016 10:00pm
SEMI Radradra has pledged his allegiance to the Parramatta Eels next season and stated his disappointment in French rugby union club Toulon for announcing his signing when he never received a contract.
In his only interview following a tumultuous week of headlines, Radradra provided the most telling insight of his career, discussing:
■ Why he wants to be part of the Eels’ 2017 premiership-winning team but returning to rugby union is a possibility;
■ The plan to determine his next move in the “near future” and why his contract pays for his ill-father’s medical bills;
■ His daily battle with homesickness and the toll of providing for his family and friends in Fiji;
■ How shattered he was to be overlooked by Mal Meninga for Australia’s recent Four Nations squad;
■ Why he owes everything to Parramatta and why the club will survive with, or without him.
Due to legal provisions, the explosive Parramatta winger was unable to discuss his
February 13 court case when he is due to face domestic violence charges.
However, the 24-year-old said he felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders by breaking his silence on everything except the legal concerns, with The Sunday Telegraph.
“I’m committed to playing the 2017 season with the Eels, my contract is for the 2017 season and I intend on honouring this contract,’’ Radradra said. “All things being equal I would love to remain an Eel beyond 2017, I love the fans, I love my teammates and coach.
“The reality of being a professional athlete in the modern era is that we are faced with difficult decisions, we have a short window to make a career for ourselves and families.
“For me the added responsibilities is that so many people and households in Fiji rely on me to support them. We will weigh everything up with my manager and make a decision in the near future.’’
Toulon’s flamboyant owner
Mourad Boudjellal left Radradra and his management fuming when declared the winger would be joining the French rugby union club in 2018-19.
“There is an offer from Toulon for the 2018 season but I am disappointed they announced I had signed before they had even issued me the contract,’’ Radradra said. “I love playing rugby league and in the NRL and I owe so much to the sport.
“The thing people forget is that Semi Radradra played rugby union for the first 19 years of my life, I had never watched a game of rugby league until I arrived at Parramatta. I was recruited from the Fijian national rugby union team to join the NRL.
“Rugby union was every kid in Fiji’s first love and we all dreamt of wearing the white jersey.
“Somewhere deep inside me there is an itch to play rugby union again and see how I can compete against the best in the world, if or when I scratch that itch I still haven’t decided.
“One thing that is certain is that the Eels and rugby league are much bigger than me and the game will go on without me.’’
Pilloried for returning to Fiji to visit his ill father, Radradra had his passport suspended after failing to attend Parramatta court last week.
“He (father) has been very ill for a long time now,’’ Radradra said.
“He has his good days and his bad days.
“This illness will be with him until the day he dies so its just about helping him manage it and be more comfortable day to day.
“It’s very hard for me being away from my dad and my family whilst he is struggling with this illness.
“I worry every day about his health and I nervously wait a call each day from my mother for news on him.
“I just keep telling myself that me being here enables my dad to pay for his doctors bills and buy his medicine.’’
Radradra, who made his debut with the Kangaroos in May, said his omission due to the current court case from the Four Nations left him shell-shocked.
“The Australian jersey is the greatest personal achievement in my entire career, wearing that jersey was one of the happiest days of my life,’’ Radradra said.
“Being ruled unavailable by the NRL for the Four Nations was the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my career.’’
