Radradra declares ambition to reunite with Hayne in Fiji team

Semi Radradra has declared his availability to again represent Fiji at the end of season Rugby League World Cup and wants former Parramatta team-mate Jarryd Hayne to play alongside him.

FIJ

After representing Fiji at the 2013 World Cup and in the 2014 Pacific Test, Radradra last year changed his Test allegiances to play for Australia on residency grounds and made his Kangaroos debut against New Zealand in the mid-season Test.

However, under changes to the international eligibility rules players who qualify for more than one country can choose to play for one tier one nation – Australia, England or New Zealand – and one tier two nation.

Having decided to leave Parramatta at the end of the season to play rugby union in France, Radradra will not be considered by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga but his availability would be a boost for Fiji.

Radradra, who has scored 64 tries in 72 NRL games, has not yet spoken with Fiji coach Mick Potter but the 24-year-old winger told reporters at a Parramatta media session on Wednesday he wanted to play in the World Cup.

“If there is an option about playing for Fiji Bati, I would love to play,” Radradra said.

“It would be an honour again to represent my home country. I represented Fiji Bati in the last World Cup, and if they picked me, I would love to play for them."

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about the Fiji team, I have just been focused on week to week at the Club, and playing food footy [but] if they still want me to play for the Bati I will play for them”

If selected, Radradra hopes to play alongside Hayne, who starred for Fiji in the 2008 World Cup before going on to play 12 Tests for Australia.

Hayne, who left the Eels at the end of the 2014 season to pursue an NFL career, played for the Fiji rugby union sevens team in the lead up to last year’s Olympic Games before returning to the NRL with Gold Coast Titans.

“I would love to play alongside Jarryd for the last time. It would be pretty good to play alongside him,” Radradra said.

“It will be massive, especially for Fiji. We need him there and it everyone would love to play alongside him.”

Another Fiji star, Wests Tigers back Kevin Naiqama, said Radradra would be welcomed back with open arms by the Bati players.

“He played in the last World Cup when nobody knew of him. He came off the bench in the backrow. He’s such a big human,’’ Naiqama told News Corp.

“I know he has to do the best for him, and if he puts his hand up for Fiji, we’d love to have him. If he doesn’t, I wish him the best overseas.’’

Fiji's first two World Cup games are in Townsville on October 28 against USA and November 5 against Wales before travelling to Canberra to face Italy on October 10.

By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017