Semi Radradra eyes return for Fiji in the Nations Championship

Shizuoka Blue Revs wing Semi Radradra is keen to return to the Test match arena with Fiji set for a daunting summer schedule in the inaugural Nations Championship.

The well-travelled former NRL star, 33, last represented his country in 2024 with one appearance during their Autumn Nations Series.

Radradra’s last Test match was Fiji’s historic 24-19 triumph against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in which he was sent off.

The former Bristol Bears flyer could make his long-awaited return for the reigning Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) champions against Steve Tandy’s improving side - who ended their three--year wait for a Six Nations win by beating Italy in the last round - in July.

Fiji launches their Nations Championship campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium on July 4 and then take on England in Liverpool seven days later. They will travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland a week later.

“If they call me, I always put my hand up for the nation,” the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion told RugbyJP.com.

“I would like to make myself available. At the moment it’s up to the coach to decide what kind of players he wants to select. For me I’m focused on how I play over here and hopefully I’ll get the chance to play for Fiji.”

Radradra, who missed the PNC last year due to injury, has scored four tries this season for Kwagga Smith’s side. Shizuoka remains in the play-off hunt with a five-point gap between them and underperforming champions Toshiba Brave Lupus who sit sixth with six rounds to go.

© Shizuoka Blue Revs

The hugely experienced utility-back has played rugby league in Australia and union in England, France and now Japan and believes that Japan’s premier club competition stands up well against other countries.

“League One compares very well to the other leagues I’ve played in. Japanese players, they love to run. There’s differences such as there being more emphasis on the point of contact in England. In Japan I need to get lower when I’m tackling.”

Radradra has been reunited in Shizuoka with his former Bristol teammate and Tongan star Charles Piutau who was a major factor in his decision to leave Top 14 side Lyon to move to Japan.

“To play alongside Charles (Piutau) is a privilege. We spent three years together at Bristol. Then I found out he was going to move elsewhere.

“It was an easy decision for me to make to join him here.”

© Shizuoka Blue Revs

Radradra, who won the European Challenge Cup with Charles and his older brother Siale in England in 2020, has enjoyed success at every level of the game including in sevens.

The former Parramatta Eels won Olympic gold for his country in Japan as part of a star-studded squad which bested New Zealand 27-12 in the final.

“That’s something I will pass down to my kids and my grandkids. Winning an Olympic gold medal is the highest level in rugby, certainly in sevens. I will always cherish that day.”

Shizuoka hosts Dave Rennie’s title contenders Kobe Steelers on Saturday in round 13.