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Coach
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http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/no-m...980918305?nk=639c3797fe9a487bfe172c2e2c9abca5
SEMI Radradra could barely handle himself
let alone a Steeden when confronted with
the biggest culture shock of his life in late
2011 .
While acclimatising the isolated Fijian to
Sydney was their top priority , Eels staff also
knew they had to get him used to holding a
football as well as fluent conversations.
The result is the Radradra is now rarely seen
without a Steeden in his giant hands, which
have become infinitely more reliable .
Eel ' s Semi Radradra in action . Source : News
Corp Australia
From making 1 . 6 errors a game in 2013 ,
Radradra is averaging less than one fumble
from 15 appearances this year .
The idea of having players nurse a football in
their spare time is not completely new .
Former Roosters coach Brad Fittler first
devised it in 2008 , to cure a severe case of
butter fingers that plagued speedster Shaun
Kenny - Dowall.
Three years later , the GWS advised recruit
Israel Folau to cradle a Sherrin at home to
hasten his cross - code adjustment .
Semi Radradra in action . Source : News Corp
Australia
The 21 - year - old s agent , George
Christodoulou, said : Carrying the football
around more is something the coaching staff
have suggested to him , as a means to getting
used to holding it . From the stats you ve told
me about , it seems to be working .
Eels coach Brad Arthur commended
Radradra s for his diligence away from
training , which was demonstrated on Monday
when the winger juggled a footy during his
first round of all - in media interviews .
A lot of it is Semi s own doing , Arthur said.
It s all about getting him accustomed to
carrying the footy, and big part of it is
learning to grip the footy because he has
such big hands.
We did a lot of work during the pre - season
on it and he s a lot more confident now .
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur shakes hands
with Semi Radradra . Source : News Corp
Australia
Only raw edges are preventing the former
Kava farmer from joining the game s band of
elite wingers .
Leading tryscorer since the opening round ,
Radradra last month inked a four - year
extension worth $ 3 million and is adamant
about representing his new homeland at the
highest level.
Last year I was just trying my best , but my
focus now on playing for NSW in the Origin
and the Kangaroos, he said.
If I can t do that , I will keep playing for Fiji .
Radradra is eligible for Australian selection in
the end- of- year Four Nations tournament ,
because he will have satisfied the three - year
residency requirement by then .
Parramatta ' s Semi Radradra makes a break
to score a try. Source : News Corp Australia
Christodoulou revealed Radradra had
intentionally left the Country of Election field
on his new contract blank to keep his options
open .
In the meantime , Radradra continues to settle
into his new home . He now has a girlfriend
and a driver s license , but refuses to drink
alcohol .
I only drink kava, he said.
In a final twist of irony, Radradra said
teammate Fuifui Moimoi who famously
pretended he could not speak English to
avoid interviews had been most influential
in overcoming the language barrier .
When I first came , I could understand when
people were speaking to me , but I wasn t as
good as speaking myself , Radradra said .
I was doing English lessons , and if I don t
know something I can always ask the boys.
Fuifui has been good , he can understand me .
SEMI Radradra could barely handle himself
let alone a Steeden when confronted with
the biggest culture shock of his life in late
2011 .
While acclimatising the isolated Fijian to
Sydney was their top priority , Eels staff also
knew they had to get him used to holding a
football as well as fluent conversations.
The result is the Radradra is now rarely seen
without a Steeden in his giant hands, which
have become infinitely more reliable .
Eel ' s Semi Radradra in action . Source : News
Corp Australia
From making 1 . 6 errors a game in 2013 ,
Radradra is averaging less than one fumble
from 15 appearances this year .
The idea of having players nurse a football in
their spare time is not completely new .
Former Roosters coach Brad Fittler first
devised it in 2008 , to cure a severe case of
butter fingers that plagued speedster Shaun
Kenny - Dowall.
Three years later , the GWS advised recruit
Israel Folau to cradle a Sherrin at home to
hasten his cross - code adjustment .
Semi Radradra in action . Source : News Corp
Australia
The 21 - year - old s agent , George
Christodoulou, said : Carrying the football
around more is something the coaching staff
have suggested to him , as a means to getting
used to holding it . From the stats you ve told
me about , it seems to be working .
Eels coach Brad Arthur commended
Radradra s for his diligence away from
training , which was demonstrated on Monday
when the winger juggled a footy during his
first round of all - in media interviews .
A lot of it is Semi s own doing , Arthur said.
It s all about getting him accustomed to
carrying the footy, and big part of it is
learning to grip the footy because he has
such big hands.
We did a lot of work during the pre - season
on it and he s a lot more confident now .
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur shakes hands
with Semi Radradra . Source : News Corp
Australia
Only raw edges are preventing the former
Kava farmer from joining the game s band of
elite wingers .
Leading tryscorer since the opening round ,
Radradra last month inked a four - year
extension worth $ 3 million and is adamant
about representing his new homeland at the
highest level.
Last year I was just trying my best , but my
focus now on playing for NSW in the Origin
and the Kangaroos, he said.
If I can t do that , I will keep playing for Fiji .
Radradra is eligible for Australian selection in
the end- of- year Four Nations tournament ,
because he will have satisfied the three - year
residency requirement by then .
Parramatta ' s Semi Radradra makes a break
to score a try. Source : News Corp Australia
Christodoulou revealed Radradra had
intentionally left the Country of Election field
on his new contract blank to keep his options
open .
In the meantime , Radradra continues to settle
into his new home . He now has a girlfriend
and a driver s license , but refuses to drink
alcohol .
I only drink kava, he said.
In a final twist of irony, Radradra said
teammate Fuifui Moimoi who famously
pretended he could not speak English to
avoid interviews had been most influential
in overcoming the language barrier .
When I first came , I could understand when
people were speaking to me , but I wasn t as
good as speaking myself , Radradra said .
I was doing English lessons , and if I don t
know something I can always ask the boys.
Fuifui has been good , he can understand me .
