Bordeaux Face Battle To Retain Radradra

Semi Radradra’s stock has never been higher than it is right now. After a slow start to the World Cup, the Fijian – a centre by trade who played on the wing in Japan – showed exactly what he is capable of against Georgia, and had pundits and fans alike purring in appreciation. Some even dubbed him “the world’s best player”.

Such recognition is tremendous for the player, his country, and rugby in general. And it’s pretty much on the mark, even allowing for social media exuberance – he is a player with rare gifts. It’s not such happy news for Top 14 side Bordeaux, however, where he is coming to the end of a two-season deal worth a reported €600,000 a year.

There was always going to be massive interest in Radradra, even before the World Cup. He has lit up the Top 14, just as he lit up the NRL in Australia before moving to Toulon in June 2017. Interested clubs, owned by people with much deeper pockets than Bordeaux president Laurent Marti, will have been watching closely.

One acclaimed tournament later, his agent’s phone number will be among the most coveted in the rugby world.

A while ago, Radradra teased a possible return to Australia and rugby league. More recently, he has kept his counsel. “For me, I haven’t talked to any NRL club yet. I have one more season left I have to honour. I have to play good footy, let my agent worry about whatever comes after – NRL or rugby – whatever it is I have to accept it,” he said in an interview with Fiji media after his World Cup came to an end.