Ex-NRL star Semi Radradra tests positive to COVID-19, Fiji Test match cancelled

European rugby’s invitational Autumn Nations Cup has been thrown into disarray after a coronavirus outbreak in the Fijian team that has caught out a former NRL star.

Semi Radradra has tested positive to COVID-19. Picture: AFP

Former Parramatta Eels star Semi Radradra has tested positive to COVID-19, forcing the cancellation of Fiji’s Test against France and plunging European rugby’s Autumn Nations Cup into chaos.

Newly appointed as his country’s Test skipper, the tryscoring machine affectionately known as “Semi Trailer” is among more than half a dozen members of the Fijian squad that have been infected by the coronavirus.

The outbreak has cast doubts over whether Fiji will play at all in the tournament, involving Europe’s Six Nations teams and Georgia.

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Semi Radradra is among more than half a dozen Fiji players to test positive to COVID-19. Picture: AFP

“In this instance, it is impossible for the Fijians to field a competitive team and we have no other option but to cancel this match,” Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel said.

Fiji‘s three remaining matches could also be at risk, delivering a massive blow to a competition that was hastily organised to make up for the loss of the normal end-of-season tours to Europe by the southern hemisphere sides.

The Wallabies had been locked in to play matches against England, Ireland, France and Italy but they were all cancelled when the Rugby Championship was pushed back and scheduled to take place in Australia.

Radradra scored 82 tries in 94 appearances for the Eels before leaving the NRL to play rugby for his birth land. He became a global sensation with his barnstorming performances at last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The 28-year-old outside back plays for English club Bristol.

Semi Radradra was due to captain Fiji at the Autumn Nations Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile, coach Wayne Pivac says Wales’s sixth successive defeat, a 32-9 hammering by Ireland in their Autumn Nations Cup opener, is a “bitter pill to swallow”.

The Kiwi insisted he had seen an improvement in the team’s performance from the 14-10 home loss to Scotland in their Six Nations match a fortnight ago.

Pivac has come under immense pressure as the side with largely the same players has been a shadow of the one crowned Grand Slam champions last year and which reached the World Cup semi-finals under Warren Gatland.

A team boasting over 800 caps rarely threatened the Irish tryline and conceded nearly 20 penalties.

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