Fiji coach targets Radradra
Try-scoring machine Semi Radradra will remain in French rugby for another two years with a view to representing the Flying Fijians at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Radradra, 25, will leave powerhouse Toulon to link up with Bordeaux at season’s end.
The Parramatta Eels had hoped to lure the wing sensation back for 2019 after leaving the NRL club last year. Radradra scored an incredible 82 tries in just 94 matches for the club during his five-year stint at the Eels and represented Australia once in 2016.
But he will now turn his attention to forcing his way into John McKee’s Fiji squad, as well as the national sevens team at April’s Commonwealth Games, after a spectacular debut season with Toulon.
McKee said this week that Radradra had signalled his intention to stay in rugby since last November.
“I spoke with Semi in November when we (Fiji) were up there (in the northern hemisphere) and he expressed to me that he wanted to play for the Flying Fijians,” McKee said.
“I’m travelling north in late February to get some face-to-face time and club visits up there, but Semi’s high on my list to talk to and I’ll be visiting Toulon in the not-too-distant future, and hopefully I can let him know my plans and where he can fit in with us.
“If he keeps up the current form expect to see him playing for the Flying Fijians before the year is out.”
Radradra grew up playing rugby in Fiji and represented the island nation in rugby sevens before being picked up in the NRL.
After making his debut on the wing for Toulon against Bordeaux in October, Radradra has since settled at outside centre where he’s formed a formidable partnership alongside former England speedster Chris Ashton.
With damaging wingers Nemani Nadolo and Josua Tuisova featuring on the wings for Fiji, McKee said that Radradra would likely push for a position in the national squad at outside centre.
“He hit the ground running at Toulon,” McKee noted.
“He showed his experience from playing rugby union previously in Fiji.
“He understands the game and he’s been playing well up there at 13 and on the wing, which to me is quite interesting because we’ve got a lot of very good wingers and it’s hard to fit them all in the team, but 13 is a spot which is a little bit more (open).”
Radradra is likely to make his debut for Fiji during their June internationals.
With the World Cup fast approaching, McKee said that not a moment could be wasted and said only players staying in rugby in 2019 would be selected to play for Fiji this year.
“With our limited time together I’ve really got to make sure that the players who play in 2018 are players who can go through to the Rugby World Cup.”