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Bristol Bears shocked the rugby world on Wednesday by announcing the signing of one of the most in-demand players on the planet, Fiji’s Semi Radradra from next season.
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After some sensational displays during the Rugby World Cup, particularly against Georgia and Wales, Radradra truly announced himself as a global superstar in union. As a result, there were reports that the Bordeaux star may be making a return to league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL, amongst a host of other suitors. However, Pat Lam’s side have come out on top, and will have the Fijian at Ashton Gate for three years.
There are few bigger names than Radradra to arrive in the Gallagher Premiership, and, as expected, this has generated a lot of attention. While Bristol fans are clearly anticipating this arrival most, a player of the 27-year-old’s calibre is a welcome addition to the league, and that is felt by fans across England.
One thing that looks most enticing about the Fijian’s arrival is his partnership with Charles Piutau, forming one of the most devastating back threes in Europe.
The former All Black is already Bristol’s most dangerous back, with electric feet in the wider channels. During his time with Wasps, Ulster and now Bristol Piutau has proven to be one of the most lethal broken field runners in the northern hemisphere. The addition of Radradra to the mix will test even the most frugal defences.
https://twitter.com/randallmunro/status/1199621281408110593?s=20
https://twitter.com/Noncombination/status/1199612572590317569?s=20
Bristol Bears announce the signing of Semi Radrada from 2020/2021. Three year deal. Piutau and Radrada in the same backline. Opposition defenders will taping up those ankles.
— Alfred Reynolds (@AlfredReynolds5) November 27, 2019
The former Toulon man showed at the RWC that he has such a range of skills in attack, as he makes the game look so easy by gliding past defenders out wide. With world-class offloading and power, Radradra and Piutau will undoubtedly light up the Premiership, and even the Champions Cup next season.
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With former Wallaby Luke Morahan expected to be on the other wing, there will not only be threats from both flanks, but the chances of him scoring more tries will only increase with such potency inside him.
https://twitter.com/marcello95cf/status/1199631416608342016?s=20
https://twitter.com/ChrisMortley_/status/1199611240064147458?s=20
A back line with Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau is pretty scary. https://t.co/qeWhY9yjyL
— Elis Williams (@eliscellan) November 27, 2019
What makes this Radradra-Piutau partnership so engrossing as well is that both players are comfortable in the centres, in fact, outside centre probably suits the Bordeaux man best given the way he effortlessly coasts past outside shoulders. With Piutau potentially inside him at twelve, Lam does not even have the worry about the two being starved of the ball. Then again, with the likes of Steven Luatua, Nathan Hughes and co. in the pack, that is unlikely.
https://twitter.com/ConorJQ/status/1199610118939332608?s=20
It looks for the moment that Charles Piutau and Semi Radradra will be on the same team next year #Woshkabomy
Luke Morahan is going to score so many walk-in tries
— BallHandling Hooker (@BHHooker) November 27, 2019
The biggest fear is that Radradra arrival signals the end of Piutau’s time in the west, as his contract expires at the end of the season. That would be disheartening for many, who already have visions of those two at Ashton Gate next season.
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The Bears already look to be a force this season, but they will have firepower next season that very few sides can match.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments