The NRL have voided Jordan Rapana's bid to play both Japanese Rugby and in the NRL next season, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Rapana can now only return to the NRL as early as 2021 after his plan to play in the NRL after playing Japanese Top League was denied.
It is understood the NRL disallows any player who seeks a contract overseas and intends to return to their homeland to seek more money on a second contract.
According to The Daily Telegraph, The NRL also have issues with a player pursuing lucrative money and then returning to Australia below their market price.
Rapana's code switch was confirmed on Monday as he signed a one-year deal to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights in 2020.
If Rapana's plan was successful, it would have seen him play Rugby in Japan from January 12 to May and then return to the NRL at the completion of the Japanese season.
The pre-existing plan to leave the NRL and return in the same year was banned by former league CEO David Gallop.
The 30 year-old who helped Canberra make the Grand Final will head to Ota, near Tokyo next week after he finishes his honeymoon in the Maldives.
chin up mate
Excellent and a fair rule.
Exactly, if the NRL drop there gaurd on this issue we will end up with 40 or so players making big bucks in Japan Rugby each season then coming back to the NRL mid season burnt out. The clubs will be suplementing their incomes with a reduced League contract leaving it opened for international footy players earning half their value and strengthening teams for the run into the semis and Grand Final. The NRL must not compromise on this issue.