Canberra skipper Josh Hodgson baffled at NRL’s Jordan Rapana rejection

Canberra Raiders captain Josh Hodgson admits he can’t understand why the NRL won’t allow rugby union bound Jordan Rapana to return to the game after his stint in Japan.

Josh Hodgson isn’t happy with the NRL’s decision to stop Jordan Rapana’s rugby league return. Picture: Dean Lewins

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Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson has questioned why the NRL would block Jordan Rapana’s return to the Raiders next season after his stint in Japanese rugby.

Rapana’s code-switch was confirmed on Tuesday when Panasonic Wild Knights announced his signature on a one-year deal.

The New Zealander’s plan to reunite with the Raiders once the Top League season ends in May, however, is set to be scuppered by the NRL.

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Josh Hodgson isn’t happy with the NRL’s decision to stop Jordan Rapana’s rugby league return. Picture: Dean Lewins

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The governing body has long held a view that its players shouldn’t be allowed to top-up their salary in another code with a view to coming back the following year.

Hodgson was reluctant to hit out at the NRL but his initial reaction was that he saw no problem with bringing Rapana back in May.

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“If he goes and plays rugby union, comes back and it’s not affecting our cap and not affecting our squad members, I don’t see what the real issue is, really,” he said.

“I don’t really see the problem with that. I’m sure (the NRL) have their reasons. I’m sure they don’t just stick a rule in there for nothing.”

Rapana is heading to Japan for a stint in rugby union. Picture: Robert Cianflone

Hodgson went on to suggest it would be more challenging for players to consider returning if they were forced to sit out an entire season.

The Great Britain hooker said the game would lose by blocking Rapana.

“You’re probably losing players because once you have 12-14 months out of the game, then it is hard to get back into the NRL,” Hodgson said.

“Especially for someone who’s a bit of a kids favourite in the game like Rapa.

“If you’ve got the chance to getting back in the NRL and get his face back in a Canberra shirt and all the kids watching him play again... I think you lose something from the game by ruling him out for another 12 months.

“I’ll probably ring (Raiders coach Ricky Stuart) and have a chat with him about it and see what the reasoning is behind it.”

The NRL directive comes despite the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Benji Marshall switching codes midway through their contracts and also returning mid-season.

Valentine Holmes is another who is being heavily tipped to join North Queensland after his current sojourn with the New York Jets in the NFL.

The NRL argue, in the case of Hayne and Marshall, they were failed career moves.

Originally published as Canberra skipper Josh Hodgson baffled at NRL’s Jordan Rapana rejection