By James Hooper
NRL rookie Jordan Rapana is walking away from the final year of his contract with the Gold Coast Titans -but there is no touch of Sonny Bill Williams about this departure.
Rapana, 19, has filed his paperwork to do mission work abroad, preaching the values of the Mormon church.
Rather than learning the Titans' latest backline trick, Rapana will be approaching strangers in the street armed with a smile and a Bible.
The flashy winger will put the final season of his Titans contract on hold for two years.
But if you ask the Gold Coast flyer, who was named in the Toyota Cup team of the year, if the move represents a gamble, the answer is: "Heck no.''
Once he receives his paperwork in the post, Rapana could be headed anywhere, from Africa to Asia.
"I've always wanted to do my mission ever since I was a kid, really. It's taught in our church that everybody should serve a mission,'' Rapana said.
"I know it's something that I'll regret if I don't do it.
"I'm just really keen and excited to get out there.
"I could go overseas or get sent in Australia. I'm not sure.
"I could end up in Africa or anywhere.
"You go by yourself, but when you're out there you get paired up, sometimes put in fours, so you're always with somebody.
"I'll be preaching at people in the street about our religion and also doing a lot of service.
"And also going to church and learning more about God.
"I know if I do this the Lord God is going to bless me for doing so.''
Rapana's mission represents the same kind of journey Melbourne Storm sensation Israel Folau was considering before opting to remain in the NRL.
Other players who share the same religious beliefs include Sharks forward Fraser Anderson, Roosters fullback Sam Perrett and Broncos prop Ben Hannant.
Anderson embarked on a two-year sabbatical from rugby league before returning with devastating effect for the Broncos and now Cronulla.
But one of Rapana's older brothers, Joel, 22, who featured in the same Australian Schoolboys side as Greg Inglis in 2004, hasn't found the transition quite so smooth.
He left the Titans to go on a mission to remote communities in Western Australia in 2006 before returning this year. He is now playing for Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup.
Leading player agent Sam Ayoub had a clause inserted in Rapana's contract allowing him to follow the lead of his brothers.
Initially disappointed, Titans chief executive Michael Searle was sympathetic to Rapana's request.
"We fully respect Jordan's decision to pursue his mission and wholeheartedly support his religious convictions,'' Searle said.
Rapana, who scored a double on debut against the Roosters in round 18, has scored five tries in five appearances.
The Rapana family's religious path has been fostered by father Eli Rapana, who serves as the local bishop for the Tweed Heads branch of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church.
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