Front-runner for Semi Radradra’s signature as NRL bidding war begins
It seems the French lifestyle doesn’t sit well with Fijian flyer Semi Radradra and with a return to the NRL on the horizon, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has addressed his club’s interest.
Semi Radradra is considering a shock return to the NRL and Parramatta are early favourites to secure his signature.
News of Radradra’s intention to return to Australia is sure to spark a flurry of interest among several desperate clubs, despite his likely $1 million asking price.
The Eels, with whom Radradra played for five years before quitting the NRL at the end of 2017, are already considered his most likely destination.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says the Eels would be interested in regaining the services of former star Semi Radradra if he returns to the NRL.
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“If Semi wanted to come back to the club, of course we’d be interested but I haven’t heard anything about it. It’s all speculation,” Arthur said.
The reason for Radradra’s shock return is simple: he prefers living in Australia to France.
Radradra has told those around him that he no longer enjoys the French lifestyle, having spent last season with Bordeaux after two years with Toulon.
The Fijian flyer is staying in rugby until after the World Cup in September and October but is hoping a deal can be struck afterwards to bring him back.
Now 27, Radradra was among the NRL’s most devastating kick returners and already shapes as a must-have asset for several NRL clubs which are struggling to be effective at the back.
THE Knights are on the lookout for a strike back-rower to bolster their stocks for next season.
Manly veteran Joel Thompson and Cronulla’s Kurt Capewell have been mentioned as potential additions to the Newcastle roster.
To do so, though, the Knights must clear out some salary cap space. The likes of Aidan Guerra, Danny Levi and Herman Ese’ese are considering their futures.
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THE Broncos are close to re-signing impressive young hooker Jake Turpin.
Turpin, who will play halfback for the Broncos against the Titans on Saturday, has attracted interest from the Warriors and Canterbury.
James Segeyaro is also set to extend his time at the club by at least 12 months.
DIAMONDS TO HOLD COURT FOR CUP REMATCH
THE Australian Diamonds won’t have to wait long before they get a rematch on home soil against New Zealand following their recent heartbreaking World Cup loss.
Australia will host game three of the trans-Tasman series at Homebush’s Qudos Bank Arena on October 20.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner said the game would give thousands of fans in NSW the opportunity to see the rematch of the Cup final after New Zealand won 52-51 in Liverpool, England.
“The Constellation Cup will round out what has been an action-packed year for netball and our Diamonds,” Fechner said. “The team represented Australia with pride in Liverpool in what was a thrilling one-goal defeat to New Zealand and the Constellation Cup is set to be another defining contest.”
The first two games will be in New Zealand.
NICE LIDDLE SIGNING FOR TIGERS
THE Tigers have re-signed hooker Jacob Liddle as they continue to plan for Robbie Farah’s impending retirement.
Farah is yet to decide if he will play on next year but Liddle will stay on. The club is also considering shifting Moses Mbye to hooker in the pre-season while Billy Walters — who made his NRL debut for Storm this year — is also on the club’s radar. On Farah — who will play his 300th game on Friday night — Wests Tigers will celebrate his achievement at Leichhardt Oval when they host the Cowboys on Thursday.
There will be “Robbie 300” T-shirts plus a special note on the scoreboard that became an iconic spot for Farah after he sat there alone in what was thought to be his final season at the club in 2016.
PEARCE BOUNDS INTO KANGAROOS CONTENTION
COULD Mitchell Pearce be closing in on a long-craved Kangaroos debut? Australian coach Mal Meninga thinks so, having long been a fan of Pearce.
Pearce’s game-three performance in Origin impressed Meninga and he could consider him for the utility role alongside club teammate Kalyn Ponga and Maroons hooker Ben Hunt for Australia’s two end-of-season Tests.
“Mitch is a big body so he could play 14,” Meninga said. “The door is not shut on him. He has had an outstanding season.
“I wish him all the best for the rest of the year. He handled his job (in Origin). He is a super player.”
BLATTNERS KEEP FRONT ROW ALL IN THE FAMILY
WE are claiming this as a first — a father and his two sons packing down in the front row for the one team.
The Blattner boys — led by dad Mick, 45, and his sons Zac, 20, and Kealen, 19 — ran out together for the first time for the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets in the South Coast Group Seven rugby league competition last weekend.
Mick and Zac play prop, while Kealen packs down between them at hooker. They wear jerseys 10, nine and eight, respectively.
“We teamed up a bit together,” Mick said. “It was a special day.”
Mick had played alongside each of his sons previously, but never both in the same game on the same team. He even packed down against Kealen last year before the trio joined up to play together at the Jets.
“Playing against him was unreal,” Mick said. “First run of the game, I ran into him. He shoulder-charged me and I blew up at the referee.
“He said ‘it’s your younger son, don’t blow up’.”
SAINTS’ BORED MEETING
MUCH was made in the lead-up to St George Illawarra’s board meeting on Tuesday night.
In truth, it was nothing more than a scheduled meeting.
Sure, the team’s performance was spoken about but there is no chatter around the future of coach Paul McGregor.
McGregor, who signed a two-year contract extension earlier this year, is safe … for now.
Barring a total capitulation, McGregor will be in charge of the Dragons this time next year.
The club did agree to conduct a review into the team’s performance at the end of the season.
That is something which is standard practice at all NRL clubs this year.
As it stands, though, there won’t be any external people brought in to dissect the season, unlike at the end of 2016 when the club drafted in Mark Coyne to headline a four-person football committee which brought some changes to the Dragons’ coaching structure.
While McGregor has his future secured, assistant coaches Dean Young and Ben Hornby are off contract at season’s end.
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CEDARS SEEK SOLUTION
LEBANON players have formally written to the Rugby League International Federation to air their grievances, which led to the planned protest in the lead-up to the country’s last match.
The RLIF said it will look into the players’ gripes.
In the interim, players including Josh Mansour, Tim Mannah and Mitch Moses have been banned by the Lebanon federation.
The Rugby League Players Association is assisting players with their misconduct notices.
“The RLPA is providing representation and advice to its members who were served with misconduct notices by the Lebanon Rugby League Federation (LRLF),” an RLPA spokesman said. “That process is confidential but we hope to find a satisfactory resolution with the LRLF.”
CROWDS FLOCKING TO JETS’ BIG DAY
NEWTOWN’S big day of celebration drew about 2000 people more than an NRL game last year.
And the Jets are keen to capitalise on their annual beer, footy and food festival at Henson Park on Saturday.
Newtown had more than 8000 people attend last year’s festivities, while Manly could only manage to attract 6134 to Lottoland for their game against Penrith at the same time.
Newtown Jets director David Ray said the event had grown from 1500 in 2016.
“As a board we have spent the last two years researching and developing plans to create a sustainable club model which is now bearing fruit,” Ray said.
“For the event, we undertook a concerted marketing and PR campaign which delivered hugely for us, and we’re doubling-down in 2019.
“We are a rarity in our reserve-grade status in that we get solid crowds at every home game.
“This is due to our history as the oldest club in rugby league combining with local community engagement and our development of our reach through our social media channels.”
The bottom line is: Newtown are “everyone’s second team”.
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SCALING UP THE ENTERTAINMENT
JAI Opetaia and Nikolas Charalampous will weigh in at ANZ Stadium on Friday night before Souths play St George Illawarra. The pair will fight on Saturday night for the World Boxing Association Oceania cruiserweight title at Luna Park. Ex-Souths teammates Luke Burgess and Beau Champion will fight each other on the undercard.
Originally published as Front-runner for Semi Radradra’s signature as NRL bidding war begins
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