Radradra must get court OK for Nines
Semi Radradra will have to apply to the courts for permission to play in the Auckland Nines, given the recent travel restrictions placed on the controversial Eels winger.
Radradra, who had his passport confiscated and later returned after failing to appear in court on domestic violence charges for family reasons, won’t be able to play in the tournament in the first weekend of February unless he is granted permission.
While the Eels are yet to decide on the make-up of their squad, the rugby-bound Radradra has been a sensation in the shortened format of the game in recent campaigns.
Coach Brad Arthur will be left with the final decision on whether to take Radradra to Auckland as the Eels look to win back the trophy they had stripped off them as part of their salary cap punishment last season.
If Radradra – who will join French rugby club Toulon at the end of this season – plays in the Nines, it may be his last appearance in the blue and gold for a lengthy period if he is found guilty of domestic violence charges when he appears in court on February 13.
Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr was unsure whether Radradra would feature in the club’s team at Eden Park.
‘‘Semi’s got other issues at the moment, and it probably will be an issue for Brad to work out,’’ Gurr said. ‘‘Firstly, it will depend on whether he wants him to go and, secondly, whether he can go for legal reasons.’’
The Eels dominated last year’s two-day tournament, upsetting home-town favourites the Warriors in the final.
But they were later ordered to return the $1.1 million in prizemoney for extensive breaches of the code’s salary cap.
While the Eels won’t be using their title stripping as motivation, their new chief executive saying the club is serious about building a winning culture and their squad would reflect that attitude.
‘‘My view is if you’re going to participate in any competition, you have to put your best foot forward,’’ Gurr said. ‘‘We’ll be taking it very seriously. ‘‘Football clubs are all about looking forward and not dwelling on what they can’t control. The next thing on our agenda is the Nines.
‘‘They’re going to be there the best they can to win it.’’ The Sun-Herald to do