Hull FC bound Jordan Rapana insists he can’t wait to get over to Super League after bringing his NRL career to an appropriate end. Rapana has penned a two-year deal with the Black and Whites in a move that sees him reunited with his former Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright.
As such, Rapana will be leaving Canberra Raiders after spending a decade with the club, making 214 appearances and scoring 106 tries. In that time the 35-year-old has secured legend status with the Raiders and consequently, his exit was always going to be an emotional one as he draws a line under what has been a remarkable stint.
Unfortunately he didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to the Raiders faithful the way he would have wanted with his season coming to an abrupt end as a collision with James Tedesco left him with a fractured cheekbone.
The New Zealand international has since had surgery and as he prepares to make the move to Hull FC and East Yorkshire he has taken the time to reflect on his time with the Raiders in an emotional video.
“It wasn’t ideal how it finished,” he said in a video posted on the Raiders website. “I would have liked to have seen that last game out against the Dragons with the boys and finished the season strong, but that’s footy, and it is what it is.
“It’s probably fitting the way that I went out. I play with my heart on my sleeve and give everything. I feel as though it was fitting that I played my last game as a Raider as I did, but we’re excited for the new challenge now and the new adventure as a family. I can’t wait to get over there.”
He added: “I’ve had such a great time and a great career here. I’m really going to miss it. I can’t thank the Canberra fans enough. They’ve been massive for me and for the team. I’ve loved every minute of my career here with those fans. For everyone that is affiliated with the Raiders, I can’t thank them enough. They’ve all played a part in some way, and I’ve really loved my time here in Canberra because of them.
“I think I was someone who never said die. I was the ultimate competitor. I’ve always wanted to be the player the other players want to play alongside. I was a player that bled green.”