Rugby League

Parramatta Eels

Radradra wants to stay in NRL: Eels

Court appearance: Semi Radradra at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

Parramatta chief executive Bernie Gurr insists Semi Radradra is in the NRL to stay, but admits it's not ideal the star winger will face court over domestic violence charges weeks before the 2017 season starts.

Fifita and Radradra caught by a puritanical system

Don't prejudge: Semi Radradra deserves to tour unless he is found guilty of a criminal offence.

A century ago, Australian sporting teams left players out of tours to England because they were not the right type of chap. They might be a risk of passing the port the wrong way, blowing their noses too loudly, or otherwise embarrassing the colonials in front of their hosts. Or they might be Irish Catholics. Or they might not "fit in". No official explanation was given, thanks to the convenient cloak of selection-room confidentiality, but everyone heard the rumours and held a theory. Lines in the sand were drawn about off-field behaviour. Omissions were never purely on the basis of form or ability. You were either in or out of the clique.