1
NRL star Jordan Rapana poised to make switch to rugby union
New Zealand-born NRL star Jordan Rapana is reportedly deep in negotiations with Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights to make a shock code switch to rugby union.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 11-test Kiwis winger, who plies his trade for the Canberra Raiders, is likely to join the Robbie Deans-coached Wild Knights, according to the Sun-Herald.
Coming off contract at the end of this season, the Raiders tabled an offer in an attempt to retain the services of the 30-year-old, but, due to salary cap restraints, the contract offer is paltry is comparison to what Rapana could earn while playing union outside of Australia.
A move to Japan to join Panasonic wouldn’t be the first time the 2017 Dally M winger of the year has forayed into rugby union.
After debuting in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans in 2008, Rapana took a two-year break from rugby league to serve a Mormon mission in England and Wales.
He returned to Australia in 2011, and signed a deal with the Western Force ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
However, he take to the field at all for the Perth-based club, and instead played for local side Palmyra in the Western Australia club competition.
ADVERTISEMENT
A move to Canberra beckoned in 2013 as Rapana eyed a contract with the Brumbies, but he was spotted by the Raiders while playing for the Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Raiders Cup and was handed a two-year deal.
Since then, he has gone on to represent New Zealand and the Cook Islands across two Rugby League World Cups, and has become an integral figure at the Raiders, forming a formidable partnership with fellow wing Joey Leilua.
His potential move to the Top League further emphasises the financial lure that Japanese club rugby has for top-class players throughout the rugby codes following this year’s World Cup.
The Wild Knights alone have secured the signatures of star Wallabies loose forward David Pocock, veteran All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock and New Zealand flanker Matt Todd on big-money deals next year.
ADVERTISEMENT
The recruitment of the duo bolsters an already imposing roster, which features 17 Japanese internationals, as well as ex-Wallabies Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane and Daniel Heenan.
Elsewhere throughout Japan, clubs have thrown money at a range of stars around the southern hemisphere in recent months, with the likes of Will Genia, Quade Cooper (both Kintetsu Liners), Brodie Retallick (Kobelco Steelers), Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz), Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath), Liam Squire (NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Kubota Spears), Christian Lealiifano (NTT Communications Shining Arcs) and Jackson Hemopo (Mitsubishi DynaBoars) among those heading to the Far East next year.
The acquisition of Rapana would add depth to the quality evident within the Japanese club rugby scene, and be a significant loss for the Raiders – for whom he has scored 69 tries in 110 outings – New Zealand rugby league and the NRL.
He was rested in Canberra’s 24-20 final round defeat to the Warriors at GIO Stadium on Saturday, but is expected to play in next week’s quarter-final clash with the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
34 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
34 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
34 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
10 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
34 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
20 Go to comments