It may cost him the chance to earn a pay cheque worth the best part of $1 million, but Semi Radradra reckons he is every chance of wearing the blue and gold this time next year.
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Radradra will join French rugby outfit Toulon at the end of the season after inking a contract worth almost seven figures per season. The Fijian-born winger has an option for a second season with the Top 14 club, but indicated he could be back at Parramatta in 2018 before the June 30 transfer window closes.
"I would love to come back to this club," Radradra said. "I am happy to come back here. That's exciting for me. I will need to be fit and training hard. Hopefully I can come back here and do some good footy again."
The Eels have been linked to another cross-code star, Marika Koroibete, who is poised to make his debut for the Wallabies. Also a Fijian-born winger, Koroibete would be forced to consider his options if his Super Rugby side, the Melbourne Rebels, gets the axe. However, the Eels may not have to wait long for Radradra to return.
The former Dally M winger of the year only signed with Toulon because of the uncertainty over his future after he was charged with assaulting his former partner Perina Ting. The one-time Kangaroo pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were ultimately dropped by prosecutors.
If Toulon misses the finals next year, he could return to Parramatta as soon as next May. Such a comeback would mirror the one produced by Mark Gasnier, who returned to St George Illawarra in round 17 of the 2010 season after finishing his commitments with Stade Francais. Bolstered by his return, the Dragons took out the premiership that season.
"At the moment I'm focusing on playing good footy at Parramatta," Radradra said.
"I'll look to make the finals this year and then start again next season. I grew up in rugby union, everyone back home grew up as a rugby union player. I don't mind, I like both [codes], to be honest."
Radradra hasn't quite reproduced the stunning form that made him the game's most destructive winger. However, he will gain plenty of confidence from his last performance against this weekend's opponents, St George Illawarra. The 25-year-old scored four tries in the previous encounter in round two, but is expecting a much sterner test this time.
"They are pretty tough, they are pretty solid," he said. "They play aggressive every weekend, it will be a tough game.
"Everyone is disappointed after the [Cowboys loss], everyone put their hands up. We're going to prepare well for the Dragons."
The Eels have fallen out of the top eight after their big loss to North Queensland and are desperate to defeat the Dragons to remain in contact with the ladder leaders. Eels utility Brad Takairangi is hopeful Radradra can produce a big performance against the Red V.
"If we can do a good job in the middle and create some space out wide, the big man can do his thing," Takairangi said.
"He's been really good, we haven't had that many line breaks, but the small stuff off the ball and defensively, he's been good."
Radradra conceded he has struggled for consistency this season and is hopeful of stringing together a series of strong performances before joining the 15-man game.
"It's a bit up and down this year," he said. "I try to focus on playing good footy every week. The next couple of months I need to focus on my footy and play well again."
