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.
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.
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.
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
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments