Eels winger Semi Radradra has made a mercy dash to cyclone ravaged Fiji to join his family

JUST days before the NRL kick-off, Parramatta’s Semi Radradra has made a mercy dash to Fiji to join his stricken family in the cyclone ravaged nation.

JUST a few days before the NRL kick-off, Parramatta’s superstar winger Semi Radradra has made a mercy dash home to Fiji to join his stricken family in the cyclone ravaged nation.

Radradra left Sydney on Thursday morning for the flight and 12-hour boat ride to the village of Somosomo, where he was a struggling kava farmer before being snapped up by Parramatta Eels talent scouts two years ago.

He has been uncontactable since leaving because phone communications in most areas of Fiji are still down following Cyclone Winston which left a $650 million trail of destruction.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur made the decision to allow the Dally M winger of the year to return home, less than a week before the club’s premiership opening game against the Brisbane Broncos at Pirtek Stadium on Thursday night.

“It had been playing on Semi’s mind for a couple of days,” Arthur said, “He needed to get back there because he hadn’t been able to make contact with anyone.

“So we had to get him home. To play good football, players have to have their off-field life sorted.

“We’re big on family at our club and if it’s Semi, or any other player for the matter, I’d do the same.

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“Family is really important to us, actually we put it before football.

“If they’re happy off the field it correlates into their on-field performances.”

Semi Radradra will return to Eels training on Sunday afternoon.

Parramatta officials have been unable to contact Radradra since he left.

The club’s welfare officer received one message that his family was okay.

Radradra used the money from his first contract with Parramatta to build his family the first home they ever owned.

The flying Fijian is due back in Sydney on Sunday before resuming training with the rest of his team mates on Sunday afternoon.

In a recent interview Radradra spoke of his pride for his family.

“I’m planning to bring my mum and dad this year to watch my first or second game,” he said, “I’m looking forward to that. For them as well to watch rugby league and be in the moment, I’m very excited for them.”

On hearing of Radradra’s concern, both the NRL and the Parramatta Eels have pledged fundraising support. NRL independent commission chairman John Grant has kicked off with a $50,000 donation through the UNICEF Fiji appeal (www.unicef.org.au).

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“We have no hesitation, on behalf of the game, to kicking off the fund raising campaign,” Grant said.

“Now we want to encourage all our fans to get behind the campaign and assist with the recovery operation in Fiji. I can think of no better cause to support as we kick off the season.”

Volunteers with buckets will be collecting for the appeal around the precinct of Pirtek Stadium at Thursday night’s season opener.

Radradra will donate his boots from the Round 1 blockbuster to be auctioned on the Eels’ website after the game.