It's a bit baffling, and symbolic of the chaotic recruitment of recent years. He's the sort of player that other clubs would sign halfway through a season for 6 months to see if it works out, or on a train and trial contract. Somehow we got hoodwinked into thinking he was a young superstar and offered him an nrl contract, and somehow for 2.5 years.
Sure maybe he was coming back from injury, match fitness etc. But if he was then why offer such a long deal to an unproven player?? If he sucks hopefully it wouldn't be too hard for him to get a gig playing rugby in japan or europe.