Radradra: I love PNG, it’s like back home in Fiji

By ISAAC LIRI
IN the world of rugby league, playing for the Australian Kangaroos or New Zealand Kiwis is the highest one can achieve, says the Australian Prime Minister’s 13 winger Semi Radradra (pictured).
The Fijian native played his second representative game for Australia on Saturday where they thrashed the PNG side 58-0 at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The Parramatta Eels star revealed that he felt some sort of Melanesian connection during his short stay in the country and hoped to one day return and play in PNG.
“I love PNG, it just like coming home, the climate, the people it’s just like back home in Fiji,” Radradra said.
Radradra also spoke of the public reaction they have experiencing over the last couple of days.
“I have never ever seen such reaction before, it might be same in Fiji or Australia in some ways but it is different altogether here in PNG.
“I know that PNG people are mad when it comes to rugby league, and that’s a great thing.  In Fiji rugby union is much bigger but after all it’s good to know that people love rugby league, it’s a good thing for rugby league.”
With the Four Nations coming up in England later this year and the Rugby League World Cup scheduled for next year, Radradra aims to impress Australia PM’s 13 coach Mal Meninga for a spot in the squad.
“There are many top players in the NRL at the moment and it is not an easy task, I love playing for Australia because it’s the biggest thing an NRL player would want.
“If I don’t get a chance with Australia, I’d love to play for Fiji too, as long as I get to play the sport I love.”
Apart from his career ambitions, Radradra took time to encourage young upcoming talents in PNG to chase their dreams if they wanted a shot in the NRL.
“A spot in the NRL does not come easy, you have to make a lot of sacrifices to get to that level.”