Semi Radradra rugby union walkout would come with teammates' blessing - Jennings - Eels Blogs

A Semi Radradra walkout on the Eels to pursue a lucrative European rugby deal would come with a full endorsement from his Parramatta teammates, according to the man who has formed a lethal partnership with the Fijian this year.AdvertisementNSW centre Michael Jennings has been an unwitting bystander to the turmoil engulfing the Eels in his first year at the club, the latest to involve his left edge partner Radradra.Radradra is due in court on Tuesday over domestic violence offences having been charged upon his belated return to Australia last Thursday.RELATED CONTENTFrench joins Folau as low-key home visit brings out best during Semi soap operaGallen says 'it's not about me' in Origin III ... but it should beRadradra was keen to take up an option with French rugby outfit Bordeaux despite being contracted to the Eels until the end of 2018. And Jennings said his Parramatta teammates would have no issue if Radradra tries to force an early release."If he wants to go he wants to go – and the players understand that," Jennings said.Backing Semi: Michael Jennings.Backing Semi: Michael Jennings. Photo: Mark Kolbe"That's his future and he's got kids to worry about, his family to worry about back home in Fiji and all the boys are going to be behind him no matter what."He's a quality player and a champion bloke. To see the situation he is in now ... I think for him it's just making sure he's happy. Whether he wants to play rugby or whether he wants to do this ... as long as Semi is happy and his head is in the right place is the main thing."Jennings said he had no doubts Radradra, who is expected to be named in the Eels' side to face Jennings' old club the Roosters on Friday night, would return to Sydney after a 12-day break in Fiji despite speculation he had walked out on the club."Semi is a similar person to me being really relaxed and he would have been on Fiji time kicking back with his family," Jennings said. "And he told the boys that he was coming back. It could have been handled a lot differently in regards to the media."It has been part of a wild initiation for Jennings in the blue and gold as the summer recruit tries to make sense of a host of off-field issues, including the salary-cap scandal.The NRL is expected to confirm very soon a preliminary decision to strip the Eels of 12 competition points, which all but cruels their finals hopes.And Jennings said the playing group were still wanting questions answered about the club's governance."It's not anger, it's just questions," Jennings said of the players' feelings towards the board. "The players just want to know how it got to this stage and situation without any of the players being in the loop. That's the only thing ... just not knowing what the situation is."It's the players and the fans that are getting punished here. The boys are training so hard and doing everything right to get ourselves into this situation – we were coming third a couple of weeks ago – it is pretty disappointing that the players are the ones getting punished at the end of the day."But I guess if you keep the roster and you keep the team and all the other stuff is cleaned up, I see a lot of potential in maybe getting a premiership."

Oh well a blow in is fine with it so I guess we should all just suck it up and get on down to Kingsford Smith to wave him goodbye . Seriously if he walks out on his contract we will be a bigger joke than we already are when it comes to player recruiting and retention. Firstly we allow JR to make a fool of us and cave into his manager playing the emotional blackmail , we are paying Fiz 30K a week to sit at home reviewing Novartis's catalogue , and now Semi is walking in and out like he owns the club .

Note to our PR tools , if a players given permission to speak to the media about " the players " allowing Semi to desert the fans , how about you use a player that hasn't barely beaten Paul Kents club record for games played in the Blue and Gold .

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Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 4, 2016 at 7:17pm

Says it all about this boards relationship with the players in this diabolical year, zero.
Wizardssleeves official receipts July 4, 2016 at 7:21pm

Oh well a blow in is fine with it so I guess we should all just suck it up and get on down to Kingsford Smith to wave him goodbye . Seriously if he walks out on his contract we will be a bigger joke than we already are when it comes to player recruiting and retention. Firstly we allow JR to make a fool of us and cave into his manager playing the emotional blackmail , we are paying Fiz 30K a week to sit at home reviewing Novartis's catalogue , and now Semi is walking in and out like he owns the club .

Note to our PR tools , if a players given permission to speak to the media about " the players " allowing Semi to desert the fans , how about you use a player that hasn't barely beaten Paul Kents club record for games played in the Blue and Gold .
Nitram July 4, 2016 at 7:25pm

It would appear so. But he wears blue and gold now so he is our twat.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 4, 2016 at 7:25pm

lol he has done a really bad job of it if that was his intention, he's just stating Semi wants out and the boys will support him, i see it as giving support to his mate, ultimately the media will speculate more now.
Wizardssleeves official receipts July 4, 2016 at 7:26pm

It doesn't say Semi won't have a shite this week either so I guess that's not happening Mr 2 names .
- My Bob > Wizardssleeves official receipts July 4, 2016 at 7:57pm
  
  Not the " I can't trust a man with two first names"
parra like July 4, 2016 at 7:26pm

I wish Jennings would walk out!
- Wizardssleeves official receipts > parra like July 4, 2016 at 7:48pm
  
  I don't think Jennings has been as bad as some are making out , but am I the only one who has issue with a bloke who's been here 5 minutes and once declared his hate for Parramatta being the bloke who takes the role of official player spokesman on contractual breeches ?
  
  It's like Seffa Paulo releasing a statement on behalf of Cronulla players on James Maloney walking out . It just wouldn't happen , our marketing - membership/ HR / relations or whoever the feck signs off on these things are a fecking disgrace , hired by an inept team who hired an inept team . It's time Larissas mob or whomever is responsible for these type of stuff ups all get the broom .
robert maxwell July 4, 2016 at 7:36pm

jennings should not talk to the media say nothing ,just play well for nsw,the rest will happen maybe, where foran and semi may go who knows..shooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo mick
ParraMan July 4, 2016 at 7:41pm

" lethal partnership" seriously