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Bristol versus Top 14 isn't the only tug of war for Semi Radradra
By Liam Heagney
The club-level future isn’t the only tug of war that Fiji’s Semi Radradra is currently embroiled in as the services of the Bristol midfielder are also in demand for the end-of-season exhibition that pits Eddie Jones versus Steve Hansen for the first time since the 2019 England versus New Zealand World Cup semi-final.
Jones, the recently sacked England boss, is set to lead the Barbarians in their Killik Cup match at Twickenham in May against a World XV that will be coached by Hansen, who is currently employed in the Japanese Top League.
Radradra has been the subject of regular transfer speculation this winter linking him with a move away from Bristol and back to the Top 14 for the 2023/24 season.
However, it has now been reported by the Evening Standard that this battle between the Gallagher Premiership Bears and clubs in the French league isn’t the only fight that the Fijian midfielder is involved in.
A report in the London-based newspaper read: “There’s a bit of a tug of war between Steve and Eddie for Radradra. They both want him to play for them in the centre. I mean, who wouldn’t?
“He’s an unbelievable player, one of the best in the world. So it looks like Semi has some thinking to do; Baa-Baas with Eddie or World XV with Steve. It’s going to be a difficult decision for the Fijian.”
Having missed the recent Autumn Nations Series with Fiji due to a pre-season injury with Bristol, Radradra returned to action last month with his club, featuring in four of their recent matches. He joined the Bears from Bordeaux in the summer of 2020 having initially arrived in France to play for Toulon in 2017/18.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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