Semi Radradra is walking out on Parramatta to join a French rugby club. Semi Radradra has flown home to Fiji to discuss his future with family. Semi Radradra’s manager says he’s coming back to see out his contract. Semi Radradra needs an extension on his leave. Semi Radradra, Semi Radrada, Semi Radradra!
It is enough to make a grown man cry yet here we are wasting more time on Semi Radradra, Semi Radradra, Semi Radradra.
Not long ago Semi was the most loved winger in the National Rugby League. A cult hero and the new face of a dream. The dream of thousands of Fijian kids hoping to one day make the trip across to Australia, play sport for a living and provide a better lifestyle for their families. But long suffering NRL fans can only take so much and they see through the bullshit quicker than most. Since Sonny Bill Williams skipped out on Canterbury, fans have been expected to forgive those that decide to dabble in other codes. After all, it’s a big world out there with plenty of other opportunities and challenges. But you can’t make fans forget. You can only make fans drink the Kool-Aid for so long.
There’s so much more to this than meets the eye.
Semi’s apparently not happy with the Eels because they haven’t come through on third party deals, Semi isn’t happy the club is still housing his ex-girlfriend, Semi wants to make more money.
The latest is Semi has been given an extension on his leave.
Bad, bad news for Parramatta.
“I spoke to Semi, he’s doing OK but you know, you never know but hopefully I get to catch up with him, before he heads back,” former teammate and globetrotting code hopper Jarryd Hayne told the Fiji Times.
“It’ll be good to catch up with him but you know he’s his own man and I always told him I’m always here to chat and if he needs anything, [I] am just a step away.”
Whenever you hear someone say “he’s his own man”, it usually means “he’ll do what he wants – contract or not.”
How many times have we been told Williams, Hayne, Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau are their own men?
And let it be noted here that only Williams walked out on a contract. Hayne chased his “NFL dream” and is now attempting to make the Fijian Olympic team (some say a tactical move on his way to a huge pay day in Japanese or European rugby) while Hunt and Folau became instant multi-millionaires playing Aussie Rules.
If only these guys came out and admitted the money was too good to refuse.
In hindsight, would Australia have selected Radradra for the recent test match if they knew he was preparing to set sail for a rival code on the other side of the planet?
At best, he used the famous green and gold jersey as a self-promotional bargaining chip. At worst, he used the famous green and gold jersey as a self-promotional bargaining chip. After all, he did admit he was switching allegiances to Australia for financial gain.
It’s hard to blame him. Have a look where he grew up and now look at the possibilities ahead of him.
“In February he said that he would like to go to France to play union,” Radradra’s ex told Fairfax.
“He always talked about how Sonny Bill Williams did it.
“I think he will be going to France if they give him the chance to play union.
“[Earlier this year] he said ‘I’m going to call you, get ready to pack your bags, we’re going to France’.”
Culturally it’s all about providing for their families and making the most money they can.
Williams and Hunt were born in Auckland, Radradra in Fiji and while Hayne and Folau grew up in Campbelltown, their ties to family (Fijian and Tongan respectively) meant chasing “dreams” is the same as chasing “dollar signs” (which really isn’t a slight on them).
Ali Lauitiiti was once branded the next “Michael Jordan of the NRL” only for the x-factor forward to leave for the Super League at the peak of his powers.
Before him it was Lesley Vainikolo.
Islander kids are driven by money – no matter the sport.
They’re programmed differently to the young halfback from suburban Australia who dreams of State of Origin jerseys, grand finals and Immortality. There’s no right or wrong, just different upbringings.
Taqele Naiyaravoro, Eto Nabuli and Marika Koroibete were all given their chance at the elite level in rugby league but will all be vying for a Wallabies jumper in 2017.
The problem with the Radradra situation is that he’s been apparently planning this walkout since the start of the year. Which means playing for the Kangaroos meant nothing but a bump in his bank account for his next career move.
Then again we could be wrong and Semi could come back to the NRL to finish up his contract.
Just like Sonny Bill.
@woodward_curtis
At last! Someone with the insight to solve the prbmelo!