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Rumours of a huge move for one of rugby's biggest names
By Ian Cameron
Semi Radradra could be set to leave Lyon mid-season with rumours suggesting the Fijian centre is set to join a Japanese franchise.
The twenty-cap Fijian international is under contract with LOU until June 2025 but according to Midi Olympique he has multiple offers from Top League clubs and is likely to take one of them.
Despite his age (32), the move would be one of the most lucrative of his career.
His departure would mark the end of a challenging spell at Lyon where he has managed just fifteen appearances and scored one try since his arrival.
Lyon have reportedly already begun exploring options to replace Radradra. The club has shown interest in Fijian Drua's Iosefo Mafi as a potential successor, while feelers have been put out to Toulouse's Ange Capuozzo and Timoci Tavatavanawai from the Highlanders.
Born in Suva, Radradra started in Sevens but began his professional career in rugby league, joining the Parramatta Eels in Australia's NRL in 2013. During his time with the Eels, he played 94 games and scored 82 tries, earning a reputation as one of the most lethal wingers in the competition.
In 2017 Radradra made the switch to rugby union and signed with Toulon. Over two seasons he played 21 matches and scored nine tries. After leaving Toulon he joined Bordeaux Bègles where he became a key figure in their backline, bagging ten tries in 22 appearances.
His performances in France earned him a move to the English Premiership, where he played for the Bristol Bears from 2020 to 2023. At Bristol, he made 53 appearances and scored 18 tries, helping them win the European Challenge Cup in 2020.
Radradra has represented Fiji in 20 test matches, featuring in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He has scored six tries for his national team, and his versatility has seen him play across various positions including wing, centre and fullback.
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Latest Comments
That's a very biased view MOMAAB?
Go to commentsThe Razor gang is certainly a lesson in counting your blessings while you have em ie the blessing of Mr 70% Foster & the ‘1 point off a RWC cup’ team he & his coaching team developed.
Despite that Foster was criticised in the seasons b4 the RWC23 of endless ‘learnings’ and continuity as an excuse not to develop next generation AB (worst new AB starts in the professional era) ...
...But AB supporters should have been counting their blessings ‘Wonder coach’ (?) Razor took that Foster team & so far has 60% success, including just 15min of B.cup1 (therefore lost the other 65min) then finally a 1st of the season full 80min in B.cup2, ie AGAINST 10th RANKED, Wallabies.
Then pre the hardest AB Nth tour in history WHAT BACK UP[??] has Razor developed?
1 {Williams} / Tu’ungafasi &?- nil back up has been run
2 {Taylor}/ Aumua &?- nil
3 {Lomax}/ &?- Tosi with micro time
4,5 Locks {Vaa’I, S.Barrett}, P.Tuipulotu &?- but micro time for Barry
But worst of any Razor planning failures the most critical positions of all the 3 Loose forwards.
What development??
Yes Sititi, ie by luck awakens.
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea } &?- retiring Cane?
What part of Blackadder's latest injury was a surprise to the Razor gang??
Perpetually injured Blackadder endlessly played when available but now no other experienced loosies available.
12 & 13 ALB R. Ioane &? Zero SR performer Havili!! OMG! But near zero time for SR star Proctor.
14 Reece &? But zero time for SR star & Narawa
15 {W.Jordan} &?
Its too late but V Japan MUST be STARTING game time & development for,
(2)Aumua, (3)Tosi, (4)Barry, (5)Tuipulotu (post injury) (8)Sititi, (6)Lakai, (9)Ratima/ Roigard (10)Plummer, (13)Proctor, (14) Narawa, (15) Love.
BUT again it’s all too late. As always I cheer & wish the best of Abs & the coaching gang, but the last decade's development & dominance of the North over the ABs tells me ‘Wonder coach’ (?) Razor has reasonably leap frogged any honeymoon straight into NZR performance warnings with only some if not all 2025 to correct HIS performance.
That will be tough given he's developed near zero new ABs for 2025.
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