NRL 2021: Can the Eels avoid another Semi Radradra situation and secure Maika Sivo’s signature?

Fijian powerhouse Maika Sivo wants to stay at Parramatta but with rivals circling, but can the Eels retain the off-contract winger?

Maika Sivo is off contract at the end of season 2021. Picture: Richard Dobson

Parramatta faces a battle to retain barnstorming winger Maika Sivo, with up to five NRL clubs showing interest in the off-contract superstar.

And the potential threat of rugby union has some Eels officials worried the club could face a repeat of the Semi Radradra raid of 2017.

Radradra has made mega dollars since his switch to union, the sport Sivo grew up playing in Fiji.

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Former Eels star Semi Radradra is on a marquee contract with English rugby side Bristol.

Sivo is already facing a new challenge this season playing without banned centre Michael Jennings, saying he will “really miss’’ his left-edge partner who he had built a strong partnership with over the past two seasons.

The Eels have commenced talks to re-sign Sivo, 27, beyond 2021 but The Daily Telegraph understands his management is also in discussions with up to five rivals who have shown genuine interest.

Radradra burst onto the NRL scene in 2013 and quickly emerged as a crucial cog at Parramatta, scoring 82 tries in 94 games.

Radradra was named Dally M winger of the year in 2014 and 2015 before switching codes in 2017 to join French rugby side Toulon.

After lighting up the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Radradra is now believed to be earning in the vicinity of $1.6 million a season playing for Premiership Rugby outfit Bristol Bears.

Sivo, who finished his rookie NRL season in 2019 at the game’s leading try scorer, told The Daily Telegraph despite interest from other clubs his preference is to stay at Parramatta.

“I love Parramatta and I love this club,” Sivo said.

“I love playing with boys here. I think we have a good group of boys here and we can do some big things.

Off-contract superstar Maika Sivo has attracted plenty of interest from rival clubs. Picture: Richard Dobson

“All I want to focus on this year is to let my football to do all the talking and go from there. I don’t want to think about it too much.”

Sivo said it was too early to consider a switch to rugby union.

“It hasn’t come across my mind yet,” he said.

“All my mind is on playing good footy for the Eels this year.”

Sivo will start the season without regular left-edge partner Jennings, who is banned under the NRL’s anti-doping rules.

The 27-year-old credited Jennings, a 298-game veteran and premiership winner, for helping him to navigate through his first two season of NRL.

“I really miss him,” Sivo said. “We built a good combo on the field but especially off the field. I will really miss him this year and the experience he brings.

“I learned a lot from him in the 2019 and 2020 season. But I believe in the other boys who will fill in his spot.

Sivo and Michael Jennings had built a strong bond on and off the field.

“Whoever BA [Brad Arthur] picks is going to be the right person.”

After crashing out in week two of the finals series in consecutive seasons, Sivo believes the Eels are building towards a long-awaited title, breaking the NRL’s longest premiership drought of 35 years.

“We’ve got a good team, we are improving every year,” Sivo said.

“We came fifth in 2019 and then third last year. I really think we are heading in the right direction and I can’t wait for this year to start already.”

COVID-19 travel bans have not allowed Sivo to travel home to Fiji but the boy from Momi is using his mum’s new passport as motivation to help drive the Eels’ title push.

“One hundred per cent, that would be so good if she can come watch me in a grand final,” Sivo said. “Only my dad has seen me play in Australia. My mum only just got her passport for the first time. I would like for my mum and dad to come over.”