Victor Radley silences critics with dazzling performance on England debut

The camera operator was seemingly well aware of the off-field drama surrounding Victor Radley ahead of his England debut.

2 min read

October 16, 2022 - 9:56AM

Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley has silenced his critics with a player of the match performance during England’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Samoa at St James’ Park.

The 24-year-old sacrificed his chances of playing State of Origin football by choosing to represent the country of his father’s birth, a decision that ruffled the feathers of England legend Garry Schofield.

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“I wouldn’t have any Kiwis or Aussies anywhere near my dressing room,” Schofield told The Daily Telegraph this week.

“Radley was never near getting picked for Australia, that’s why he’s gone for England.”

The television camera operator was well aware of the off-field drama ahead of the World Cup match, seemingly pausing on Radley during the national anthem to check whether he knew the lyrics.

But the two-time NRL premiership player was unfazed, belting out the words to “God Save the King” alongside his teammates.

England’s Victor Radley in action during Rugby League World Cup. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

England cruised to a 60-6 victory on Sunday morning AEDT, with Radley contributing three try assists, three linebreak assists, 13 tackles and eight runs for 72 metres on debut.

But he didn’t expect to be named Player of the Match.

“I am not sure how I got player of the match – I am a bit embarrassed,” Radley said.

“Really, really stoked.”

England coach Shaun Wane said: “There were other players who were really, really good.

“He can do a lot better Rads. He won’t mind me saying that. I know what he can do. Rads can play a mile better than that, no question.”

The camo stopping to check Victor Radley knew the words to the national anthem was very cheeky.

Credit to Victor - he knew every word ðŸ˜ #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/jrLT1dk9X1
— Niko Pajarillo (@NikoPajarillo) October 15, 2022

They were underdogs for this World Cup opener, but England have just defeated Samoa 60-6. Incredible result. Victor Radley rightly MOM. He was brilliant. They all were.
— Dan Tomlinson (@dantomlinson92) October 15, 2022

Dom Young scored two superb tries in the one-sided thrashing against a Samoan team boasting six members of Penrith Panthers’ recent NRL Grand Final-winning side and two from the runners-up Parramatta Eels.

Wane admitted he had “never expected that sort of scoreline”.

“But we can do better and improve on the win. I’m very happy with the scoreline,” he told BBC.

“Samoa were a bit off today but our defence put them off.

“There was a spell in the first half where we were off. But apart from that we were brilliant.

“I just wanted to win the game and we did it in such a good manner.”