The former partner of Semi Radradra has revealed the superstar winger has spoken of his desire to emulate Sonny Bill Williams and switch to rugby union, and predicted he "won't be coming back" to Parramatta.
The Eels gave Radradra permission to return to his homeland of Fiji during the bye week, on the proviso he returns on Sunday to prepare for Parramatta's game against high-flying Cronulla next Saturday night. However, the Dally M winger of the year allegedly told those close to him that he had no intention of returning, sparking speculation he would make a Williams-esque defection to the rival code.
Radradra has been linked to Bordeaux and there have even been reports he has already signed a lucrative deal with the French rugby club. His manager, George Christodoulou, met with the NRL during the week to discuss a raft of issues before attempting to hose down speculation about a league walkout via an Eels press statement. Christodoulou did not return Fairfax Media's call on Saturday.
However, Radradra's former partner, Perina Ting, the mother of their 18-month-old daughter Louisa, believes Eels fans have seen the last of the Kangaroos winger.
"In February he said that he would like to go to France to play union," Ting told Fairfax Media.
"He always talked about how Sonny Bill Williams did it.
"I think he will be going to France if they give him the chance to play union.
"[Earlier this year] he said 'I'm going to call you, get ready to pack your bags, we're going to France'."
It is understood several of Radradra's promised third-party agreements with the Eels failed to materialise and he feels he isn't being paid his market value.
The 24-year-old, one of the NRL's biggest drawcards after scoring 58 tries from 63 games, is contracted until the end of next season, but can command more money in the 15-man code.
Asked why she thought Radradra would not fulfil his obligations to the blue and golds, Ting said: "One hundred per cent, he is motivated by the money. Because it wasn't enough for him.
"He would always say to me: 'It's business, Parramatta need me.'
"From my point of view, looking at the situation, he blames the club for his situation.
"I feel for the club because they are doing a lot of things for us and for him. Even when he went to Fiji last year, they give him gym sets, they gave him a box of jerseys to take to his village. They help him a lot.
"I feel sorry for the club."
Radradra came from humble beginnings, working as a kava farmer in the tiny Fijian village of Somosomo. Parramatta took a punt on him after spotting him during a rugby sevens tournament in Dubai and he jumped at the chance to play with his hero, fellow Fijian Jarryd Hayne.
Former NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, Parramatta's de facto chief while the club works through its salary cap mess, has outlined his ambition to reunite the pair at the Eels. However, the fact the club has provisionally been ordered to carry $1.3 million worth of undisclosed promised payments in its salary cap during the next three years as part of their sanctions will make the task difficult to achieve.
The Eels have been aware of Radradra's unrest and were concerned his trip to Fiji could be a one-way ticket. But they didn't want to stand in his way as he sought to spend more time with his family, particularly given his father, Samisoni Waqavatu, has been unwell.
If he doesn't honour his Eels contract, Radradra will likely be slapped with a lengthy NRL ban should he attempt to return to rugby league in the future.
"I feel for Parramatta because of everything they've done for him," Ting said. "And he just walks out for no reason."
