The story goes that Radradra was recruited by NRL club Parramatta Eels on the basis of a photograph from that age-grade union tournament, a tale the new Fiji captain has now verified.
“Yes, it’s true. This leader had seen a picture of me with the U20s and found my legs to be very muscular for my age. He made a bet, called me and asked if I wanted to play league. I told him that I had never played and that I had never even seen a league game.
“He said, ‘We’ll teach you’. A few hours later, I received a plane ticket that sent me off the next morning! I left Fiji without even telling my family. Once there, my agent was waiting for me with the contract. When I saw the sum, I thought of my family who lived in poverty and I signed right away, telling myself that I could help them and that I would no longer have to go down to the mine.”
All these years later, Radradra is now Fiji captain and looking to do his country proud in the Autumn Nations Cup. “Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when he [Cotter] told me. I felt the tears rise. It’s a huge honour and a privilege (to be captain).
“I was so surprised. I have barely ten caps with this team. It happened quickly. I couldn’t refuse, but I immediately told him that I needed other guys to lead this team, to support me. We have some great guys here and I won’t do anything if I’m alone.”
Recalling the win two years ago over France, Radradra added: “
I will remember it all my life. It was very special. We made history but those times are a thing of the past, it will not come back. Beating a tier one team at (their) home is very rare, but it also showed us that we can do it. We must learn from this victory. There is a saying that goes: ‘Nothing is impossible when the heart decides to win.'”
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-...-a-goldmine-for-2-an-hour-to-captaining-fiji/
