Rugby defector Jordan Rapana’s 2020 premiership dream ended by NRL

UPDATE: Jordan Rapana’s dream to play both Japanese Rugby and the NRL next season has been crushed.

Jordan Rapana of the Raiders in action during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Canberra Raiders and South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Friday, September 27, 2019. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Update: Jordan Rapana’s dream to play both Japanese Rugby and the NRL next season is over with the governing body set to block a planned return to league next season.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal NRL bosses will not allow Rapana to play both codes in the same year.

It is understood the NRL will not allow any player to chase large money in a rival code and then seek a second contract back in rugby league during the same season.

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Jordan Rapana is denied a try in the grand final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The NRL also have salary cap concerns about a player who earns lucrative money overseas and then potentially returns to rugby league below their market price.

Former CEO David Gallop first banned players from ditching the NRL and then seeking a return in the same year.

On Monday, Rapana’s switch to Japanese rugby was confirmed after Top League powerhouse Panasonic Wild Knights announced the winger has signed a one-year deal on their website.

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Next year’s Top League season kicks off on January 12 and runs until mid-May.

Despite the season finishing before the NRL’s June 30 deadline for clubs to finalise their top 30 roster, Rapana won’t be able to register a contract for the remainder of season 2020. He is free to return to the NRL in season 2021.

Rapana, who helped guide Canberra to their first grand final in 25 years, is on his honeymoon in the Maldives. He will arrive in Ota, near Tokyo, as early as next week to begin preparations for his code switch.

Jordan Rapana has defected to Japanese rugby. Picture: AAP/Lukas Coch

He first arrived in Canberra in 2013 on a development contract with the Brumbies but never made his Super Rugby debut.

Instead, Rapana, 30, made his club debut for the Raiders the following year and played 115 games for the Green Machine. In that time, he forged a devastating right-edge combination with centre Joey Leilua and the tackle-busting duo was ­endearingly dubbed “Leipana”.

However, the budding bromance is over and it seems for good. There is speculation the Raiders are willing to release Leilua from the final year of his deal in a bid to ease salary cap pressure.

Originally published as Rugby defector Jordan Rapana’s 2020 premiership dream ended by NRL