Radford guards against historic trip Down Under having long-term effect

HULL FC head coach Lee Radford has revealed how he once almost moved to Australia – to join NRL champions Melbourne Storm.

Currently on the Airlie Birds’ tour of New South Wales, Radford is putting together final preparations for tomorrow’s ground-breaking Super League game against Wigan Warriors at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

A week later, they tackle St George Illawarra as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup holders pit their wits against NRL opponents in Sydney.

That is part of an international double-header that also features Wigan Warriors v South Sydney, experiences Radford firmly believes will enrich his players.

Plenty of English talent presently operates in the NRL although when Radford played there was only Adrian Morley truly making his mark.

“Back in the day, when I was at Bradford, I did speak to Melbourne,” said Radford. “But I’d just had my first child and they needed to get rid of a player as well for it all to happen.

“I think the year before (Warrington’s) Ian Sibbit and (Wakefield’s) Keith Mason went out there. But, unfortunately, it never quite happened for me.

“I did manage to play against one of the NRL sides in the World Club Challenge, though. It was an unbelievable experience.”

Radford, alongside the likes of Jamie Peacock, Lesley Vainikolo and man-of-the-match Leon Pryce, helped Bradford defeat Penrith Panthers 22-4 in the 2004 World Club Challenge

“So much focus went into it, though, you have to be war, said Radford. “If you watch Warrington and Wigan last year, the knock-on effect of the World Club Series was huge for them.

“We’ve spoken about that as a club, players and staff hopefully not making the same mistakes.”