Semi's dad on decision to play for Australia

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2016/4/tweet-semi-radradras-dad-emotional-letter-about-his-son-chossing-to-play-for-australia/BlogsSemi Radradra's Dad Pens Emotional Letter About His Son Choosing To Play For AustraliaPosted: 27 April, 2016 by Triple M NRLSemi Radradra's dad has opened up about his son choosing to play for Australia over his native Fiji in the Friday week's test against New Zealand.As you can see below, it’s a very personal letter that is enough to convince anyone.It was tweeted out by the Parramatta club's media manager.Semi's Dad Pens Emotional Letter“God has blessed us through Semi. Last year he built us a big home worth more that $100,000 and his gift to us his parents last Christmas was a brand new four-wheel-drive worth $85,000.“He told us to use it when we go to the hospital because I am sickly and to take his siblings to school when it rains.“We were safe during Cyclone Winston inside the house he built for us. I thank God for my son and I wish him well on his rugby career.“My wife, Luisa Sera and I are lucky because he asked us to play for Australia because he wanted to look after us and his siblings. He said he wanted to do it for the betterment of our family.”

Wow so many uneducated and culturally offensive opinions. First of all, the letter is obviously written by a parent who is unable to verbally express his feelings of pride regarding his son due to a language barrier, if you all had a glimpse and knowledge of the personal struggle and 3rd world conditions of a native Fijian family, you would see what I see. Make no mistake these parents drill into the heads of their children, grow up, get out of this island and make something of yourselves. They don't want their children to struggle. Because of your lack of cultural understanding and cultural obligations to his family this letter says "you made it, Australia developed and looked after our son and because of that, you have allowed us to live in safety and access medical services and schools, we are thankful that we made the right decision for semi to leave us" . This is not about money or not being proud, semi's father is explaining his proudness by acknowledging that his child has put the priority of his families basic needs first. Be mindful, just because English is not your first language, it doesn't give you the right to judge a persons character or intention because it's you with the ignorance not this man writing the letter.

"I did modern day as 1998 onwards as I didn't see them play, as some here haven't. Where I believe majority of people here have seen all the modern day players play.
Plus it frees up some spots like we all know who 5/8 will be but now no idea."

"Old vs New. Pre 1998 Eels best team wearing the original Gold Jerseys vs post 1998 Eels best team wearing today's Blue jersey. The best from both eras playing against each other in a virtual stadium online. Jack Gibson coaching Gold, Brian Smith…"

"He played 134 of his 264 games as a winger. Didnt complain once like a Lomax when required on the wing. Was a team man through and through. He deserves to be in the Modern Day Best Eels team somewhere. Perhaps now that we have 6 interchange players…"

Replies

Dave April 27, 2016 at 7:30pm

Not sure exactly what to make of this.

Sure it's great that he wants to help his family but it does also make it look a bit like he is only playing for Australia for the payday rather than actually feeling "Australian"
- Wizardssleeves official receipts > Dave April 27, 2016 at 7:34pm
  
  It's always been about the payday . I don't think that's ever been a debate . The blokes been here 5 minutes , for anyone to believe he'd have enough patriotism for Australia to turn his back on his homeland not for the money is in La La land .
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Dave April 27, 2016 at 7:40pm
  
  Agree, Semis old man would have been better off talking about how proud Semi was to be picked rather than money, but im sure he was only trying to give his boy a wrap, it looks like a portion of a letter so he might have spoken of more than money, but this letter wont help with his detractors.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown April 27, 2016 at 7:35pm

I dont think this letter will be convincing anybody as the tweet suggests.

Semis obviously a fine man but the letter is all about money and what Semi has done for them, nothing about Semi's want or desire to play for Australia, this wont change anybodies minds who think semi shouldnt have been selected for Australia in fact it will make a few more dirty than they are.
- Lady Luck > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown April 27, 2016 at 9:41pm
  
  Wow so many uneducated and culturally offensive opinions. First of all, the letter is obviously written by a parent who is unable to verbally express his feelings of pride regarding his son due to a language barrier, if you all had a glimpse and knowledge of the personal struggle and 3rd world conditions of a native Fijian family, you would see what I see. Make no mistake these parents drill into the heads of their children, grow up, get out of this island and make something of yourselves. They don't want their children to struggle. Because of your lack of cultural understanding and cultural obligations to his family this letter says "you made it, Australia developed and looked after our son and because of that, you have allowed us to live in safety and access medical services and schools, we are thankful that we made the right decision for semi to leave us" . This is not about money or not being proud, semi's father is explaining his proudness by acknowledging that his child has put the priority of his families basic needs first. Be mindful, just because English is not your first language, it doesn't give you the right to judge a persons character or intention because it's you with the ignorance not this man writing the letter.
slip April 27, 2016 at 7:38pm

I think Dave wrote this.
Bup April 27, 2016 at 7:57pm

We make decisions in our life for various reasons. Be it for money , love , opportunity , health and happiness. Is any of these reasons of more importance then the other. Depends on the individual. If I was in Semis position I'd do the exact same thing. Will Semi be on his death bed and give a rats arse about the naysayers , not a chance.Ive heard some of the most hypocritical comments from media personalities in regards to this that it defies belief . It stops an Australian from representing, this comes from blokes openly advocating Segyaro playing for Qld and Australia. Josh McGuire and Millford. Didn't hear much conjecture when it came to Adrian Lam, Toni Carroll, Noa Nandruku, Akilla Uate, Petero Civanacieva, and the like keeping others out of rep sides. I couldn't care less how long they've been in the country born or otherwise. Eligibility rules , which is an international residency rule applied to all sports allows him to play. Is he the best winger available for selection, 100%. To do otherwise is discrimination.
- Angry Eel > Bup April 27, 2016 at 8:25pm
  
  Agree Bup, but there is a greater issue here. This was the perfect opportunity for the NRL to use their so called war chest to top up ELITE players that are born and bred in countries like Fiji to help grow the international game. Semi is the best winger in the game and deserves the same advantages that Thurston and Inglis and the likes get for being the best in their positions and playing representative football. Parramatta would not be gaining any advantage by Semi getting this representative allowance for remaining loyal to Fiji only his pay would be the same if say Corey Oats played origin and for Australia. I don't believe Parramatta should get any more help than what Souths got to get Burgess back or the Roosters to get SBW if they were to entice Hayne back too just to clear that up. And I think the same should go for the likes of Uate and Segeyaro also. However the NRL lacks this foresight. The fact that he can pledge allegiance to a country but not a state is laughable also
- Bup > Bup April 27, 2016 at 8:31pm
  
  I get the frustration, but as it stands Semis best option is to play for Australia. What annoys me is comments by blokes like Laurie Daley who's dead against it,yet he's happy to select James Tamou for NSW. Rugby Leagues a strange beast.
- Angry Eel > Bup April 27, 2016 at 8:58pm
  
  I agree with you 100%.

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