The Rise of Radike

Over the last six months Radike Samo has proved his career is as robust as his afro. And while it’s a joy to behold his bulbous barnet in full flight, we should all step back and marvel at the remarkable renaissance he’s enjoying in the winter of his career.

2011 may well prove to be Samo’s golden year. Having spent nearly a decade in the rugby wilderness flogging his wares in France and Japan, the 35 year old back-row not only became a crucial member of the Queensland Reds (having been signed as short-term cover for James Horwill), he broke back into the Australian team seven years after his debut – helping the Wallabies win the Tri-Nations while he was at it – and was one of the first to secure a place on the plane to the New Zealand.

A pretty good return indeed.

And now he’s proved so indispensible he’s starting on the wing against Russia this weekend. Is this a sign the wheels have come off for Australia? Or will Samo continue his purple patch with a barn storming performance on Saturday?

It’s fair to say I’m no fan of the Wallabies, but in Samo I’ve found someone in canary yellow I can really get behind.

Irish eyes, they're smiling now

Well, well, well. Ireland have well and truly thrown the cat among the pigeons. What a game. What a performance. What a result.

I don’t know what was more pleasing, seeing Ireland finally hit the form they so clearly have on paper, or seeing Quade Cooper’s odious little face at the final whistle.


Ireland showed two things in this game. That Australia still have the most impotent front row in world rugby’s top-tier and they themselves have one of the most physical and dynamic back rows in the game – and that’s without David Wallace!! Granted, Ireland’s lives were made easier with the absence of David Pocock, but even so, Ferris, Heaslip and O’Brien were out of this world. In fact, the entire pack was out of this world, they were masterful.

All teams should learn lessons from the boys in green on how to deal with Australia in this world cup. DOMINATE UP FRONT. Australia operate on a different plain when their backs can get ball going forward. But neutralise their ability to play on the front foot and you’ll have them firmly by the balls. The backs will always be dangerous in broken play and on the counter-attack, but if you’ve worked hard enough on your defence you can cope with them.

So, well done Ireland, you’ve turned the world cup on its head and made me look like a lemon. I salute you.