Rugby World Cup 2019 | Semi Radradra’s historic performance against Georgia
Former NRL star Semi Radradra has made himself one of the hottest properties in rugby after a jaw dropping World Cup performance.
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Former NRL star Semi Radradra has set the Rugby World Cup on fire with an incredible performance that has rewritten the history books.
In Fiji’s match against Georgia, which was an important clash after dropping matches against the Wallabies and Uruguay, Radradra sparked the hyped Fijian attack to a 45-10 win ahead of their clash with Wales.
The star ran for a tournament high 177m with five clean breaks and 11 defenders beaten.
But the 27-year-old set some new records as Fiji ran in seven tries to one.
Playing on the wing, Radradra set up three tries and scored two himself to become the first player in history from a non-tier 1 nation to have involvement in five tries in a World Cup game.
Tier one teams include the teams who play in the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and the northern hemisphere’s Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales).
5 - @FijiRugby's Semi Radradra is the first player ever from a non-Tier 1 nation to be directly involved in five tries in a single Rugby World Cup game (2 tries, 3 try assists). Clinic.#RWC2019 #GEOvFIJ https://t.co/fxtdVjj9Q6
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) October 3, 2019
His three try assists also equalled the most eve by a Fijian player.
The teeming rain Thursday didn’t affect Fiji’s running game, which proved far too strong for a Georgia line-up hoping to seal third place in Pool D with a win, which would have ensured automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Instead, Fiji has moved ahead of Georgia and provisionally over Australia into second place.
“Very pleased by the performance from the Flying Fijians,” head coach John McKee said. “Good to see us showing some of our flair and our talents at this World Cup.”
Fiji is still to face group leader Wales and Georgia is up against Australia, which has a game in hand over Fiji.
It was only 7-3 at halftime and Georgia were still in the game after 54 minutes at 17-10 before Fiji blew them away with six second half tries and four in the final 20 minutes.
Radradra book ended the final 20 minutes with his pair of tries as the Fijians thrilled the crowd with one-handed passes and some spectacular running.
“Semi was world-class today,” McKee said. “He showed the quality he brings to the game.”
HIGHLIGHTS - Les Fidji et Radradra trop agiles pour la Géorgie #GEOvFIJ #RWC2019
— Rugby World Cup (@RugbyWorldCupFR) October 3, 2019
📰 https://t.co/seAQI8Ru26 pic.twitter.com/IqPrYPCmrF
Social media appreciated the incredible performance from Radradra
Radradra is unstoppable! He is a try scoring machine. #GEOvFIJ
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) October 3, 2019
Between tries and assists and general OHMYGAWDDIDYOUSEETHAT today’s performance from Semi Radradra must rank right, right up there. #GEOvFIJ #RWC2019
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 3, 2019
The Daily Telegraph’s rugby reporter Jamie Pandaram also said “he can write his own cheque after this”.
Radradra carving up today against Georgia in #RWC2019. He can write his own cheque after this, no NRL team will be able to match his rugby salary #FIJvGEO
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) October 3, 2019
The comment comes after the rumour mill went into overdrive that Radradra was pondering a return to the NRL.
The Fijian flyer made a name for himself in the code with 94 tries in 82 games for the Parramatta Eels before he moved to French rugby with Toulon.
He then moved to Bordeaux, where he is on a reported $A1m per year.
Canterbury Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill confirmed the meeting with Radradra at the time and rugby league great Andrew Johns said the club should sign him for “900k-a-year to a $1 million”.
But late last month, Radradra told The Sydney Morning Herald he didn’t really miss the 13-man code.
“I haven’t talked to anyone (about returning to rugby league), I’ve just told my agent to manage my off-field business,” he said. “I am just focusing on footy, playing good footy every week. I have to focus on the game (on Saturday) and the rest of the World Cup.”
And with a performance like that against Georgia, Radradra could have his choice of clubs or sports when his contract ends in 2020.
— with AP
Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2019 | Semi Radradra’s historic performance against Georgia