GO and play rugby union in France.
That’s the message to Semi Radradra from Parramatta legend Brett Kenny who admits he’s “sick and tired” of the soap opera surrounding the Fijian flyer.
On Monday night, French rugby club Toulon announced the signing of Radradra, despite the tryscoring machine being contracted to the Eels next season.
Radradra’s manager George Christodoulou claims Toulon “jumped the gun”, but did say there was a substantial offer on the table.
This all came on the same day Radradra was due in court on domestic violence charges, but was instead in Fiji visiting his father who is reportedly ill.
Kenny, who played 265 games for the Eels, reckons enough is enough.
Semi Radradra arriving at Parramatta court earlier this year. Picture: John GraingerSource: News Corp Australia“I must admit I’m getting sick and tired of Semi now,” Kenny told Fox Sports Newson Tuesday.
“It’s something the club doesn’t need. They were in turmoil this year. They want to start afresh 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 Parramatta to say goodbye to Semi.”
Even though the Eels cult figure has a contract with the club next season, Kenny said he’d have no qualms about letting him leave early in a bid to recreate some stability within the organisation.
Eels legend Brett Kenny. Picture: Peter ClarkSource: News Corp Australia“I’d let him go, they’ve got some good young players there,” Kenny said.
“I just think they’ve got the position covered.
“You just can’t afford to have someone carrying on the way Semi is — sometimes he’s here, sometimes he isn’t.
“It’s just not good for the club and for his teammates.
“I know they’ll all support him and that’s fine but at the end of the day you need someone that’s going to be there 100 per cent and if it was me I’d be saying you’re more than welcome to go and play in France.”
This isn’t the first time Radradra has been linked with an exit from the club.
In June this year, he returned to Fiji telling friends he was off to join another French rugby outfit in Bordeaux.
Kenny says the constant uncertainty surrounding Radradra’s future could start to affect his teammates.
“They’re his teammates and you always stick by your teammates,” Kenny said.
“But after a while you start thinking this is just too much and maybe that’s what they’ll do eventually.
“If it keeps going, I think the players — they’re there to play rugby league and win games — they don’t want to be worried about whether a teammate’s going to be turning up for training or not.”
Semi Radradra in action for the Eels. Picture: Kym SmithSource: News Corp AustraliaKenny called on the NRL to step in and prevent rival clubs taking advantage of situations when players are released.
“To me, this is one of the problems,” Kenny said.
“Clubs will get rid of players for off-field issues, but once they get rid of them another club picks them up straight away.
“I really think the NRL have to look at this and take a stance that if they’ve had indiscretions off the football friend and it’s worthy enough for the clubs to sack them, they shouldn’t be allowed to go and sign with another club. It just doesn’t help anyone.
“If Parramatta let him go and he wants to stay in the NRL, I really don’t think he’ll have a problem finding another club, but I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
Replies
Onya Bert :)
Finally something i agree with Brett about, nice one Bert, the reporter must have had a good Swahili interpreter thats for sure.
Bert's always been smarter than he may come across.
Just because he was the Eel's gardener there for a while, doesn't mean he doesn't know his footy and isn't a passionate Eels man and considering what some of his previous team mates have done to the club, he was and will always be an absolute legend.
He is the reason I started supporting the Eels as a kid.
Damn him, damn him to hell!
Spot on. Good stuff Bert... Semi, please listen to the collective 'piss off'. We have to start 2017 free of baggage and turmoil.
LOL... What do ya reckon? The reporter pulled out the Roll-a-dex from the 90's blew the dust off of it and gave Kenny a call to get a quote. Should be any day now and we should hear from Ray Price.
Within 48 hours i recon lol
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