This is from the Lurker who we know is a tool. But I am not certain the article is untrue either...
Unhappy Eel should be Parra's priority
Semi Radradra has been a ray of sunshine for the Eels this season - but he’s not happy.
The flying Fijian winger - a key figure in Saturday night’s upset win over Penrith - is telling close mates he is considering getting out of the NRL.
He is under contract for 2016 but has told friends he would consider a switch to rugby union next season.
Eels officials are certain to work on getting the charismatic winger smiling again over the summer and Radradra is not a lost cause - yet.
I still expect him to be there because Parra work hard on player welfare and will do everything to ensure he is happy - on and off the paddock.
But Semi is clearly miffed at the team’s poor performances this season and, when the Eels read this, alarm bells are certain to ring.
Replies
Yeah I call BS.
I was going to write a blog on this but I'll leave that to the regular know alls and just say it here.
Radradra should be
1. offered a significantly upgraded contract (back ended if necessary) and;
2. fast tracked to play fullback.
Radradra is now an elite backline player who needs to be paid accordingly and played accordingly. Obviously work will need to be done in the offseason but Radradra is clearly physically ready to play fullback and this absolute slouch of a backline clearly needs him to play there.
Imagine what a more involved Radradra brings. His ability to bring the ball back against the Panthers was literally the only reason we were able to even challenge the defensive line.
If he doesn't break the line he gets a quick play the ball.
In an ideal world you keep the left side combo with Taka going, but that's only if you have an absolute gun backline with threat all over the park. We don't have that.
We are going to have to accept that Radradra will command serious money now, and you can't pay a winger serious coin.
How would Semi position himself for kicks on a regular basis? How would he go barking orders at the defensive line to set themselves? How would he go summing up the game closer to the ruck and in a more vital position? It sounds like a good move in theory with him getting more touches of the ball but he has enough touches of the ball now on the wing and he's making an impact from there, there's absolutely no reason to move him from the wing. It hasn't prevented him from going to the other side of the field looking for the ball. It hasn't prevented him from getting closer to the ruck to catch the opposition being lazy. I personally don't think there's anything to gain from putting Semi at fullback.
Semi is a fantastic athlete which makes him perfect for the wing but he hasn't played and doesn't know enough about the game to play fullback. What about his game makes you think that he'd be able to do what a fullback does?
I'll disagree here, respectfully. We have the best left side attack in the competition purely because Taka does a great job at giving Semi good ball and Semi is devastating. I just cant see Semi having the ball playing or creative instincts that the better fullbacks have. I think he is one of the best wingers in the comp however and don't think we should mess with that.
I sometimes watch him being used as a battering ram and wonder to myself how he feels about that. I know he is tough but boy he is getting through some work week to week. His second hit up in a set is always a ripper.
He already is a great winger
I think he would be a even better center.
Why woud we play a shy figian who is only learning the language at fullback, a role that requires extensive communication? Let alone no experience In that position? To pay him more? And when he cant make the transit ion were stuck paying over 500K for a winger.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!
Yes he does have the skills to be an excellent fullback .
I can't remember Waqa Blake running around him but Semi's defence has been pretty good this year. Not many tries down his side.
You try to keep playing him on the wing and paying him 200k and see how long he stays at Parra.
Its now Arthurs job, and this is what you pay a coach for, to transition him to fullback.
What skills transition to fullback well other than his running game?
Well he signed that deal only last year so if I don't think he could have changed his mind too quickly in the 18 months that have past. Why does he have to transition to fullback?
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