Victor Radley's decision to play for England has been vindicated by the welcome he has received from teammates and fans, coupled with his growing belief that the host nation can win the World Cup.
Radley, who insists any doubts about turning his back on Origin have been erased by the commitment of England players to winning the tournament, will have a large contingent of family and friends supporting him in Sheffield this weekend.
It will be the first time he has sung God Save The King in front of his Sheffield-born father, Nigel, who will be joined by about 50 mates after arriving in England this week for the match against Greece at Bramall Lane.
“He is coming in at the end of the week with my brother so I can’t wait to see them and to play in front of all my family and friends,” Radley said.
Radley goes in for England
“He is a massive Sheffield Wednesday fan so it would have been nice if it had been at Hillsborough but we are playing at Sheffield United and he has organised all of his mates. There will be cousins, and aunties and uncles, too.”
Unlike Jackson Hastings and Blake Austin, whose decision to represent Great Britain in 2019 through their English heritage received heavy criticism, Radley has been warmly accepted despite his Australian accent.
However, the Sydney Roosters lock felt he had to earn the respect of England coach Shaun Wane and the players through his on-field performances, which yielded him man-of-the-match honours in the opening game against Samoa.
Radley named player of match
“Some of them knew who I was or had seen me play before but a lot didn’t so you have got to earn that respect and the only way to do that is through hard work and playing well,” Radley said.
“I am starting to get that a bit now, so it has been good. They are really welcoming and a great bunch of blokes. I’ve really enjoyed the people, the culture and the laughs. There are a lot of laughs.
“I had a rough idea of what I was going to be in for. I’ve been over here a few times, and I know my dad and a lot of English people, but it has been awesome.
“I’ve loved the fans, the crowds, the noise and the weather. As much as people might laugh, it has been good here the last month. It’s not too cold and it’s not been raining.”
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Another misconception that has been dispelled for Radley is about English players not being as good as their Australian rivals because most of them play in the Super League.
“It has blown me away how tough they are and how fast they all move,” Radley said. “Everyone at training just goes so hard and they don’t stop.
“The whole team has been so strong mentally and physically and that is why I think we are going to win the World Cup.
“We have had two wins out of two games, but we have got to keep working hard and go and win the World Cup. I really believe we can do it.”
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