Rugby league is in danger of losing the Australian Schoolboys captain after a bitter dispute erupted between the Broncos and boom youngster Karl Oloapu.
Oloapu, the player of the tournament at the recent national under 18s championships, signed a three-year deal with the Broncos in January.
But the talented five-eighth has had a change of heart, claiming the club has broken promises, and is refusing to turn up for training with the club.
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Oloapu is refusing to budge and is contemplating a switch to rugby union or a move to Super League in England.
“My dream for as long as I can remember has been to play NRL and I have shed a lot of tears over how things have ended up… probably too many tears,” Oloapu told Wide World of Sports.
“I was in between managers when I signed with the Broncos and only went in to see them with my older brother Joe for advice.
“They gave me a document that was more than 60 pages long and told (me) to sign it.
“I tried to read it and understand it all in 30 minutes but without a manager or legal advice it was very hard.
“The club told me I would be in the top 30 full-time players next year and that I would be playing at my preferred position of five-eighth and that I would meet (head coach) Kevin Walters, so I was happy.
“They gave me a chicken sandwich and that was it – we were shown the door… it didn’t feel right.
“Now since then I have been told I am not part of the full-time squad and they want me to play at lock or hooker and change the shape of my body.
“I’ve never met Kevin and barely heard from the club. When my new manager asked to see their letter of offer to me, the club told him they had lost it… how does that happen?”
The Broncos are sticking to their guns and are refusing to release the youngster, believing it sets a bad precedent to allow a player to walk away from a contract.
“The club has been working with Karl’s new management in recent months regarding this matter,” chief executive Dave Donaghy said.
“Karl earlier this year signed a three-year contract with the Broncos and the club will not be releasing Karl from this contract.”
Oloapu is now managed by former Panthers star Matt Adamson.
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“I’m disappointed that this can occur to a young Samoan kid at the age of 17 – without any legal advice,” Adamson said.
“They said he had to sign the contract on that day he met them. He has so much talent and so much to give and it’s a shame that as men we can’t resolve this situation.
“I’ve asked Karl if he wants to give the Broncos another chance but he says there is too much water under the bridge.”
Oloapu’s brother Joe is concerned about how the affair has affected the teenager.
“They talk about player welfare – this poor kid is broken hearted,” Joe said.
“There are kids his age who are taking their own lives – Karl is lucky that he has the family support but it has taken a real toll on him.”
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