Craig Wing departs at end of 2009
21st July 2009
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have agreed to a request from Craig Wing to release him from the final two years of his contract. Craig Wing will finish his NRL career at the end of 2009 to take up a highly lucrative two-year deal with Japanese Rugby. He had approached the Club for a release two weeks ago on compassionate grounds, and after much discussion, the Board agreed to his request. “Craig’s personal issues have been well documented over recent months,” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said today. “The contract with Japanese Rugby will go a long way to helping his personal situation and we respect that and wish him well in his further football career. “It has always been our desire to have Craig see out his contract with our Club, but after careful consideration over the past fortnight, the Board and Management of the Club understand that it was in Craig’s best interests that he be granted a release. “We certainly wish Craig all the very best in his transition to Rugby Union in Japan from 2010.” Craig will finish his NRL career having played over 250 first grade games for both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters. During his career he has won an NRL premiership, played for Australia in 16 Test matches and represented NSW on 12 occasions. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time back at the Rabbitohs and I am sad to be leaving both South Sydney and the NRL,” Craig said. “I truly appreciate the Club granting me this special release and I want to thank Souths for agreeing to my request so that I can move on with my personal life off the field. “The Members, sponsors, coaches, my team mates and the Board have all been very supportive over the past two years and I thank them for that. “I started my NRL career here in the red and green and it is fitting that I finish it in this great jersey. “I am looking forward to finishing the season off strongly and I will be doing my best to ensure we make the finals.”
Craig Wing has become the first existing SOO player to leave the NRL for Japanese Rugby, with the cartoon of the response. Unofficially it has been reported that Craig has continued to have third party contract/payment issues and was considering taking the club to court to address these losses.
