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'Full Rupeni mode' - Fans want Semi Radradra in contention for World Rugby Player of the Year 2020
After a slow night in his first appearance for Bristol in the first round of the Premiership restart, Fijian superstar Semi Radradra has been a force to be reckoned with ever since over the first month of Premiership action.
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Much to the delight of the third-placed Bears, Radradra has delivered at centre to keep Bristol firmly in the Premiership race. Since the restart, Radradra has the second most line breaks of any player, the most defenders beaten of any player, and an astounding 19 offloads which is six better than the next best.
Radradra’s attacking form has proven he is one of the game’s premier talents with the ball in hand, with fans comparing him to another Fijian legend, Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
One fan said he is ‘going full Rupeni in Europe’ right now, adding that there is a ‘decent argument’ to be made that he is the best player on the planet right now. Another said he is better than whoever will win World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, suggesting Radradra would again get snubbed.
Probably not appreciated in the same way that Rupeni was, likely because Rupeni did it for the Blues, but Semi Radradra is going full Rupeni in Europe at the moment. Decent argument to be made that he's the best rugby player on the planet right now.
— Benji Crossley (@bopman1) September 8, 2020
Semi Radradra > whoever actually wins WR player of the year. #BRIvNOR pic.twitter.com/FwfIY8FBX5
— Russell Norton (@RussellNorton89) September 8, 2020
Semi Radradra is just another level. #WORvBRI
— Scrum365 (@Scrum365) September 4, 2020
Semi radradra absolutely tearing it up! Love watching him every week ?
— Aaron owen (@AaronEvans91) September 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/wara_billy/status/1303484477205819392
Radradra is a cheat code ?
— James (@Carruthers8) September 8, 2020
@BristolBears just wow, great rugby tonight and with #radradra on the field he makes it look effortless, he just creates space for others #BRIvNOR
— Neil Stone (@neil_stone21) September 8, 2020
With the uncertainty around the international calendar due to Covid disruptions, this year might be the year that Semi Radradra is able to garner a nomination based on his club form with Bristol with limited international rugby played.
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The only international rugby played to date is the interrupted Six Nations, leaving the door ajar as to how World Rugby will decide the Player of the Year award. However, there is every possibility it isn’t handed out in 2020 and resumed again in 2021 if international rugby on both hemispheres doesn’t resume in the latter part of the year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6OPLjgkeV/
If Radradra isn’t in contention, it wouldn’t be the first time as many believed his form for Fiji in the 2019 Rugby World Cup was enough to earn a nomination. Radradra was a standout for Fiji in pool play and finished with some of the tournaments best stats before the finals.
After all the dust settles and the accolades are handed out, to me the best player at the #RWC2019 was Semi Radradra. Not even being nominated for world player of the year was an insult. He would make every starting lineup at the RWC, and be every teams game breaker.
— sumich (@sumich) November 3, 2019
Semi Radradra has beaten the most defenders (29), made the most meters (400m) and made the most carries (62) in the @rugbyworldcup pool stages. Tell me how he doesn't get player of the year unless it's because he's playing for a second tier nation like @danleo82 said. Insane.
— Z (@rookieshooter92) October 16, 2019
This is quite odd. First time a player outside Tier 1 is nominee for player of the year, but whilst by no means a bad player very surprising it's Taufete'e and not any of the obvious standout candidates in world level form Radradra, Himeno, or Fukuoka.https://t.co/mvW2Swal9f
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) November 1, 2019
Would love to see Radradra nominated for @WorldRugby player of the year.
Any reason why he shouldn’t be apart from Fiji’s Tier 2 status?
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) October 9, 2019
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If Radradra continues in his form for Bristol Bears he will give himself the best chance at finally being recognised by World Rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments