Radradra makes switching codes look easy

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Semi Radradra. Picture: WORLD RUGBY

SWITCHING rugby codes from fifteens to sevens and back to fifteens in one week is an impossible task for many rugby players.

Semi Radradra will prove his unique capabilities when he dons the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians jersey this Saturday for the first round of the June Test Series against Samoa at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

A star in his own making, Radradra not only helped Fiji win the London 7s title, but he also scooped the Player of the Final award and was selected as one of the dream team players with Paula Dranisinukula and his fellow Barbarians teammate Josua Tuisova.

Former national 7s rep and Flying Fijians captain Ro Alivereti Doviverata says, it takes a unique talent to switch codes in less than a week and adapt to the fitness level required.

“Before, when we switch from fifteens to sevens, it usually takes two weeks, trying to adapt to the sevens environment and the atmosphere, but changing codes every week for the past two weeks shows the calibre and the standard of the player himself,” said Ro Dovi.

“Radradra and Tuisova have shown their capabilities that they can blend in wherever they are chosen to be and this is just a different class, especially for Radradra gearing up to feature for the Flying Fijians this Saturday.

“My opinion would be that, Radradra to be given at least 48 hours to recover and adapt to the time zone and temperature especially travelling from the North to the South hemisphere, but if the soul and mind of rugby is with him then nothing can stop him.”

Meanwhile, Flying Fijians coach John McKee said Radradra would join camp when he arrived whereas Tuisova was excused for personal commitments.

“Tuisova will be out of the June Tests as he prepares for his traditional wedding but Radradra will join the rest of the team this week with the likes of Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa,” said McKee.

The Flying Fijians line-up will be selected on Thursday as they face Samoa on Saturday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

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