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Semi Radradra 'best player at the Rugby World Cup'
By Josh Raisey
Fiji finally clicked into gear at this year’s Rugby World Cup as they put Georgia to the sword at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Thursday.
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John McKee’s side were only leading 7-3 at half time after the first 40 minutes were played in heavy rain. Fiji were allowed to play more freely after the rain cleared in the second stanza and their forwards laid the platform for their backs to run riot and take the game 45-10.
There were outstanding performances across the team, but winger Semi Radradra was undoubtedly the star of the match. Radrada scored two tries, nabbed three assists and ran for 177 metres.
Former British and Irish Lion Martyn Williams said on Twitter that it was the “Easiest Player of the Match I’ve ever had to call” as the Bordeaux back looked untouchable in the second half.
https://twitter.com/martynewilliams/status/1179665277694332935
Former England Women’s international and World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi was also full of plaudits for the former Paramatta Eel.
Radradra is unstoppable! He is a try scoring machine. #GEOvFIJ
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) October 3, 2019
Radradra was one player that was tipped to shine at the RWC but failed to show what he is truly capable of in the first two games, as his side were severely underpar against Uruguay and even against Australia. He was given licence to play with freedom against Georgia, and regularly had the ball in his hands all across the park so that he could display his full range of skills in attack, running past defenders and offloading at will.
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Fiji coach John McKee was as impressed as anyone at Radradra’s performance against the Georgians.
“Semi is a world-class player. He has been, by his standard, a little bit quiet at this World Cup, but showed today the quality that he can bring to the game,” McKee said after the game.
Radradra is now being rightly praised on social media, with some fans describing him as the best player at the RWC. The former rugby league star has also attracted attention from NRL fans, and after rumours circulated before the RWC that he may be returning to league, the demand and interest in him will have skyrocketed in both codes.
This was the reaction to his performance:
Radradra is absolutely sensational!! #RugbyWorldCup #FIJvGEO
— Des Morrissey (@des_morrissey) October 3, 2019
Radradra is some player! All the ball skills, and what an athlete! ?? #GEOvFIJ #RWC2019
— Tom Humphreys (@ThomosLuke) October 3, 2019
Radradra is a finisher per excellence
— Pizzoh (@Dav_E) October 3, 2019
Semi Radradra! Too big, too strong, too fast! #GEOvFIJ #RWC2019 #POTM #startsomethingpriceless
— Jamie (@jamiesportstwit) October 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ci019/status/1179647245009981444?s=20
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Semi Radradra on fire, great game, great try, great put down… where have I seen this before?!? #RWC2019 #RWC19 #RWC #NRL #Parradise
— Paul Kneeshaw (@Stick_Beetle) October 3, 2019
Fiji face Wales next Wednesday in their final pool stage match of the RWC. Although they are all but out of the tournament, they will still pose a major threat to Warren Gatland’s men. Not only have Fiji been successful against Wales in the past, but they will still want to prove what they are capable of against the strongest opposition, and if they play like they did in the second half against Georgia, it should be a terrific match.
Fiji fans weren’t happy with coach John McKee after his side’s limp performance against Uruguay last week:
