Craig Wing dumps South Sydney for Japan to cover investment losses
By Dean Ritchie and Andrew Webster
July 22, 2009
Floundering under investment losses of up to $1.5 million, Craig Wing cast aside his South Sydney homecoming for a deal with a second-division Japanese rugby union club where he will collect nearly $60,000 a game.
Wing signed a two-year deal with Tokyo-based NTT Communications worth $1.4 million to play in a second-tier competition described as the equal of Sydney club rugby's Shute Shield.
Now, the Rabbitohs - who allowed Wing out of the final year of his deal in 2010 - have the money to make a bid for Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt.
The Japanese Top Challenge Two competition - second division - runs over six months but teams play just 12 matches, with star imports often being rested.
Wing's position of financial strength has unravelled in the past few years because of a string of investments gone sour. During his final months at the Roosters, he is believed to have lost $600,000 on a golf resort in Vanuatu.
His third-party agreement - worth $100,000 a year - with Souths sponsor John McGrath Real Estate fell through when he failed to show up to work four hours a week.
And in a further blow, a string of investments on the advice of former flatmate and Double Bay real estate agent Rodney Prestia have cost him significant amounts.
Wing's decision to take the telephone-number figures in Japan might stop the NRL losing Hunt, another Origin star.
Souths insiders said the money saved under the salary cap with Wing's hasty departure - believed to be $500,000 - will allow them to piece together an ambitious play for Hunt. Hunt has previously been linked to Suntory.
The deal was only sealed in the past three days, with Wing's manager, Wayne Beavis, organising a hastily arranged meeting with Souths chief executive Shane Richardson on Monday.
Wing, 29, will play alongside former Wallabies star Mark Gerrard at NTT. It is understood he approached the Souths board for a release two weeks ago on compassionate grounds.
"Craig's personal issues have been well documented over recent months," said Richardson.
"The contract … 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 ... understand that it was in Craig's best interests that he be granted a release."
Wing said remaining committed and motivated in rugby league was becoming increasingly difficult.
"I have ticked all the boxes," said Wing.
"This is an incredible opportunity for me. After almost 11 years playing professional rugby league, I feel that I have done everything that any player could wish for in Australia.
"At this stage in my career I am eager to travel and see the world and taste the experience of playing professional sport in another country with a different culture. I am sure there will be some lonely times and some tough times but I will be a better person for it."
