NRL: What do you do with a problem like Semi?

Well, more ridiculous than it already was.

As you may, or may not know, Parramatta winger Semi Radradra flew back home to his native Fiji back on the 18th of June.

Now the reason he flew back, and whether he had permission to do so or not, is a little hazy from where I sit.

You see, the night before Semi boarded the plane at Mascot airport, he had scored one of the best tries of the season in an emphatic Parramatta win over South Sydney (see below):

The events after this game makes me wonder what he was thinking when he scored this incredible try, and also what he was thinking in the hours afterward just before he got on the plane.

When Semi jetted off, the story that immediately followed was that he was on his way home to see his family before flying out to France to begin a career in French rugby.

The difference between what Semi is possibly doing, and what Sonny Bill Williams actually did to the Canterbury Bulldogs back in 2008, was that he told Parramatta he was going home.

Well, that is according to the Eels anyway.

The Eels were at pains to explain, that when Semi left, they knew all about it and were happy for him o take the week off thanks to the bye.

They said so in a statement not long after the story of “Semi on a Plane” broke.

I’m not sure whether they decided they were okay with it before or after he took off, but I guess we’ll never know.

I have to think that Head Coach Brad Arthur gave the all clear for this to happen, as there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in the joint who has the authority to do so.

And that is part of the problem.

With the Eels organisation looking like an absolute dog’s breakfast, I don’t blame Semi for thinking that the best thing for him would be to get out of the place.

In fact, when players were told that some would have to be jettisoned to get them under the salary cap, it wouldn’t surprise if Semi was actually thinking that a change for him would be a great idea.

As we know, he wasn’t given the tap on the shoulder and others have left instead.

Which begs the question; If Semi does leave, how do you think a bloke like Nathan Peats is going to feel? After all, he did receive the tap on the shoulder.

He’ll probably feel a mix of emotions. Especially if his new club, the Gold Coast Titans, make the finals and Parramatta don’t.

But what about Semi? What is he really doing?

As far as Parramatta are concerned, everything’s sweet mate.

He’ll be back on Sundee and training with the boys Tuesdee.

No wait, sorry, he’ll be back with the boys on Wednesdee and playing the Sharkies on Saturdee.

Ah, well, nothing to worry about then. The Eels have proven their word can be trusted, so no dramas there whatsoever.

If you believe that, you’ll believe anything.

Semi’s own family have said that he’s at home weighing up his options. And it would seem that his family are the only one’s he has in his circle of trust.

His manager, George Christodoulou, doesn’t seem to be in the circle and he is a bit like Semi when it comes to the media. He doesn’t appear to be all that sure about them and won’t say much unless he has to.

So you, me and the rest of the rugby league public have only been given quotes via text from Semi’s agent.

The quotes don’t really fill me with a whole lot faith in him. His focus is that Semi will be playing against Cronulla on Saturday and he’s sticking to it.

Despite what the actual question asked is, that is his answer.

So, it is looking more and more like a Sonny Bill replay by the day, along with a little bit of Inspector Clouseau about it all.

And this is why the NRL needs to step in here.

You would think having lived through the Sonny Bill fiasco first hand, new NRL CEO Todd Greenberg would have acted well before now and taken over this mess (Greenberg was the Bulldogs boss when Sonny Bill bid them “adieu”).

That he would have told Semi to get his arse back to Parramatta quick smart if he was to have a future in the NRL.

That if he does decide to leave, the game would do all in it’s power to stop him from playing in another competition.

And that if he still decided to leave, he would never play any form of organised rugby league in the country again.

I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think anything like that has happened.

He’s probably taken Parra’s word for it and thinks it’s “sweet mate” too.

From what I can tell, Semi is going to do what Semi wants to do and that’s it.

The problem is, I don’t think Semi really knows what that is at this point in time.

But we’ll find out one way or the other soon.

But until then, every flight into Mascot from Fiji will receive a little extra attention.

But I wonder if any of the flights to France, via Fiji, are being looked at as closely?

I’m sure NRL CEO Clouseau is all over it.

This article first appeared on TopBetta HERE.