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Victor Radley says England will hit Samoa 'freak' hard in semi-final

Loose forward Victor Radley says England will go after Samoa youngster Joseph Suaalii and "hit him hard" in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

Joseph Suaalii of Samoa during the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Quarter Final match vs Tonga
Joseph Suaalii of Samoa during the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Quarter Final match vs Tonga Picture: AAP Image

Exciting 19-year-old Suaalii is a Roosters team-mate of Radley and the England man knows they must keep the shackles on the full-back.

The Penrith-born Suaalii turned down the chance to play for Australia in order to represent Samoa and he has enhanced his already burgeoning reputation with a series of impressive full-back displays to help take Samoa to within 80 minutes of an unlikely final.

But they must get past a tough England side, who humbled Samoa in the opening game of the delayed World Cup last month.

The hosts, who were underdogs for the game, ruthlessly took apart a poor Samoa at St James' Park, but they have improved since then and will represent much tougher opposition.

But England know they impose themselves on a player affectionately dubbed a "freak" in the World Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.

"Joseph is a young freak," said Radley. "He has been good for them in this tournament, he has been their best player.

"We know what is coming and we are going to get in front of him and hit him hard. But he is a really good player, very tough and skilful.

"Our coaching team have watched his games and seen what I see. We will have to do a good job on him."

Samoa coach Matt Parish said of his full-back: who made his NRL debut at 17: "He could have chosen to play for Australia but he committed to Samoa like a lot of these young men, which is pleasing.

"He has been unbelievable for our group for a young man. He has been well-schooled and well-educated. Certainly, I think he is enjoying the ride at the moment.

"He is pretty good in any position you put him in. He has a long career ahead of him, which is going to be exciting to watch."

 

Castleford Tigers coach Lee Radford is working with Samoa and he has been impressed by Suaalii, he said: "What you see on the field, he delivers off it as well.

"For a 19-year-old kid to have his own meetings in team sessions is phenomenal and what we've seen in the World Cup from game one to game four is the niches of playing full-back, he's developed them so quickly.

"I think you're going to see a very special player over the next five, six, seven or eight years."


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