Parramatta Eels star Semi Radradra to ditch $1 million payday if unhappy at Toulon in French rugby

SEMI Radradra is prepared to turn his back on nearly $1 million if he does not find happiness in French rugby and longs for a Parramatta return.

Semi Radrada with Eels teammates.

SEMI Radradra is prepared to turn his back on nearly $1 million if he does not find happiness in French rugby and longs for a Parramatta return.

The option of taking a second season in Radradra’s two-year deal at Toulon is in his favour and the 25-year-old international said he would have no problems walking away if he struggled to adjust to the European lifestyle.

The Eels speedster stands to collect nearly $900,000 a season, as well as a car and accommodation, to play outside centre and be Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s Top 14 poster boy.

Semi Radradra has left the door open for a return to the Parramatta.

The best offer he’s received from an NRL club was around $500,000, which is still huge money for a winger.

While determined to impress in France, Radradra, who will start with Toulon as soon as Parra’s season finishes, would have no qualms ditching the second year of his mega payday.

If Radradra did walk away after his first year, he would be back in Australia in time to sign a new Eels deal — his first preference — or with a rival NRL club before the June 30 deadline.

“I’m going to try something new again,” Radradra said.

“I played rugby as a kid and haven’t played rugby in six years now.

Semi Radrada is tackled during Parramatta’s heavy loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in Darwin last weekend. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ll see what my first year is like. I want to get a feel for it. The second year is in my favour, so if I want to come back I can come back.

“It is far from Fiji, but if I’m going there for work or a job, I’ll do whatever it takes.’’

Radradra would not have signed the Toulon deal had he not been in the middle of defending domestic violence-related charges before the courts, which were later dropped.

“With all the stuff happening in my past, it made me sign this deal to play rugby union,’’ Radradra said.

Semi Radradra has not been as prolific at scoring tries this year as previous seasons. Picture: Mark Evans

“I would have signed here (at Parramatta). Hopefully I would have stayed here for life. I love this club. This club I will always call home. The club, the boys, we’re tight here.

“I’d love to come back here and finish it off.’’

The fleet-footed Fijian is determined to make the most of his final three months in the NRL, starting with victory over St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon.

The last time Radradra played against the Dragons in round two, he racked up four tries, his only multi-try haul since round 10 last year.

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“I want to finish strongly. I want to set some high standards and take this team to the finals — my focus is on playing good footy every week,’’ Radradra said.

Brad Takairangi has been named to play inside Radradra at left centre but could make way for Michael Jennings if he’s cleared to return from a thigh injury.

Takairangi said the Eels plan for getting the best out of “the Semi Trailer” was simple: “If we can do a good job in the middle, and create some space out wide, we can let the big man do his thing.’’

Originally published as Parramatta Eels star Semi Radradra to ditch $1 million payday if unhappy at Toulon in French rugby