England’s newest powerhouse has given a spine-tingling explanation of his decision to help Shaun Wane’s side win the Rugby League World Cup, revealing he is backing a “gut feeling” in turning his back on Australia and State of Origin.
Victor Radley has spoken in detail for the first time since pledging allegiance to his father’s country of birth, and says from the very first phone call with Wane he knew he had got it right. The Sydney-born 24-year old was widely tipped to earn Origin recognition in Australia next year but will now never experience that honour after his shock decision to represent England.
And the Sydney Roosters loose forward says he has gone for heart over head, the way he has made every big life decision so far.
“I always had it in the back of my mind, I had this gut feeling that I really want to play for England,” he revealed to former England skipper James Graham on his latest Bye Round podcast. “I spoke to dad and mum and some others and got good advice. Then gave myself a few months to sit on it.
“I couldn’t go past that gut feeling. My head was saying Origin. I just decided that I definitely didn’t get here from my head! I didn’t even have plans to play in the NRL, I was happy being a carpenter. Back your gut. Maybe your gut is wrong but I don’t even care. I’m stoked with the decision, I’m all-in and I can’t wait.”
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Radley has revealed that he sat on his decision for months before confirming it, and then didn’t tell anyone. But as soon as he knew, there was one first phone call he wanted to make.
“I just got Shaun Wane’s number and rang him. I said ‘mate if you want me for the World Cup I’m all-in, if you want me in the squad I’m there’. He sounds like a hard man and said ‘I love that, I look forward to working with you, we are going to go and win the World Cup.’
“My team-mates are so happy for me. I haven’t really done any media but all the feedback has been positive and I just can’t wait to get over there. I want to play for England for as long as he wants me.
“I’ve had two convos with Shaun and after that he’s let me be. I’ve been in touch with some of the assistants and management and Shaun is watching from afar. I keep my energy inside and don’t listen to anybody else.”
Elsewhere, the big fight for a play-off place at Headingley went the Rhinos' way as Leeds maintained their impressive upward momentum by beating Salford Red Devils for the first time this season.
The victory also sees Leeds into the top six for the first time all season, and their transformation under new boss Rohan Smith has been remarkable. Rhyse Martin was the chief points scorer with a 22-point haul, but England centre Harry Newman’s form after injury and suspension has been one of the central components of the Rhinos’ resurgence.
The electric youngster could be one of Wane’s most dangerous World Cup weapons if he can stay injury-free through the remainder of the season - a season Leeds now look well-placed to extend.
Castleford Tigers boss Lee Radford admitted he was “petrified” by the way champions St Helens started against them, roaring into an early lead in the live Channel 4 game before a Tigers rally left the scoreline respectable.
Saints needed that, with their giant forward Alex Walmsley last week admitting his side were “in a bit of a hole” after a mini slump had seen Wigan trim their Betfred Super League lead to four points.
Speaking of Wigan, their diminutive winger Liam Marshall is finding the form of his life. Shaun Wane admitted in June that the hardest call he had to make in naming his England squad for the Combined Nations All Stars international, was leaving out the Warriors man. So what a response this has been, with Marshall having scored back-to-back hat-tricks against Hull Kingston Rovers and now Warrington Wolves at the weekend.
The Wolves’ defeat was the latest predictable setback in an utterly wretched first season under head coach Daryl Powell. They are thankful that Wakefield Trinity and Toulouse Olympique beneath them keep losing too, and the French side now visit Warrington this week. Defeat for the home side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is unthinkable.
And a word on the other French side at the right end of the table. Catalans Dragons have been injury-hit, but fired up by their most passionate supporter in head coach Steve McNamara. The Dragons pulled together to win at Wakefield thanks to a Fouad Yaha hat-trick.
McNamara called this “one of the best wins in the history of Catalans Dragons” having had 13 starting players missing from a 17-man squad. Few supporters who were inside Wembley when the Dragons won the 2018 Challenge Cup against Warrington will agree with that, but it again underlines the fight and fire that McNamara has for his Perpignan project, and the pride he feels for French Rugby League in face of fresh and unwelcome criticism of its value.
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