The Rickman wrote: ↑October 10, 2019, 9:43 am
Haha remember how Billy Walker and his boys continually told us Croker was going to lose us a big game with his defence and/or goalkicking??
Still waiting.
He played well and kicked truly which was very pleasing to see.
Canberra Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker doesn’t want Jordan Rapana to go
Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says the pain of this year's grand final loss will drive him during the pre-season - and he hopes his backline mates are still there with him.
"It's frustrating. Rapa doesn't want to leave and the club doesn't want him to go either," Croker said. "We haven't been that successful for the last couple of years, and then all of a sudden we make the grand final and we have salary cap pressure."
Japanese union team Wild Knights sign Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana
Japanese rugby union team Wild Knights have announced they've signed Rapana on their website on Monday. He's getting married in November and then heading to Ota, near Tokyo, after that.
Rapana floated the idea of trying to come back to Canberra on a short-term deal, but that looks increasingly unlikely.
Earliest time Rapana could make any return to the Raiders is Round 10 (May 17), if the union team doesn't play in their finals (their regular season finishes May 9).
Yeah I doubt they'd be willing to hold cap space open through to May for a winger, unfortunately. Especially given we have a couple of solid backups ready to step in. I will miss Rapana greatly, one of the few players to consistently hold his standards high the past five years. I'd say on consistency he was our best performed player over that period.
Unless we get hammered with injuries they'll likely have at least a min wage spot open. Surely the NRL would let us sign a washed up, injury ravaged Union winger for half a season at that rate.
What a great player and club man he was. Was in devastating form until he picked up the shoulder injury in last year's test match, top 3 winger every year. All the best in Japan raps, you will be missed.
I think it’s very unlikely we will see him back. Sad to see him go, could never question his heart or effort and put together an outstanding highlights reel. I see him as a player that exceeded his potential by quite a margin. Hope he gets paid well and goes well
Boy, if our team has somehow managed to keep BJ for 2020 while upgrading CNK, Bateman and Wighton but unfortunately having to lose Rapana and Sezer, we've done very, VERY well here.
This is how the successful teams manage their salary caps.
The Rickman wrote: ↑October 29, 2019, 1:08 pm
Boy, if our team has somehow managed to keep BJ for 2020 while upgrading CNK, Bateman and Wighton but unfortunately having to lose Rapana and Sezer, we've done very, VERY well here.
This is how the successful teams manage their salary caps.
I hope we can get him back for the 2nd half of the season on a close to a min contract. It would again add some real depth with minimal impact on the salary cap. Anyone have any ideas what his Japanese rugby contract would pay him?
The Rickman wrote: ↑October 29, 2019, 1:08 pm
Boy, if our team has somehow managed to keep BJ for 2020 while upgrading CNK, Bateman and Wighton but unfortunately having to lose Rapana and Sezer, we've done very, VERY well here.
This is how the successful teams manage their salary caps.
Still a few blocks to fall into place there but I agree.
The change in that regard since Sticky came in... night and day. Not sure if that is all down t him or Don is getting better direction/giving better support or the Board is better at attracting interest in TPA's...