DESPITE BEING on the wrong side of 30, Radike Samo has achieved cult status. And the Wallabies No 8 is loving every minute of his new-found fame.
The 35-year-old Cinderella Man of international rugby powered into the hearts of Australia footy fans after he tore the heart out of the All Blacks during last weekend’s Tri Nations decider in Brisbane, when he showed great strength and pace to score a sensational 60m solo try.
Samo, who was starting in his first test in seven years, is enjoying soaking up the limelight at the moment.
“I think it's pretty cool what people think or what people say,” he says. “But for me, I just want to turn up and play rugby.”
The afro-haired Samo is still coming to grips with making the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad, after initially struggling to attract any interest from Super Rugby franchises when he returned from a playing stint in Japan.
It was only when Reds coach Ewen McKenzie resurrected his career in 2009 and the Queenslanders made the final this year that he considered himself an RWC contender.
“All I wanted was to come back and have another crack at Super Rugby,” he says
“I can't believe I'm standing here getting ready to go to the World Cup, so it's been an awesome season.”
Samo has re-signed with the Reds for a further two seasons, but isn't putting a time limit on his career.
“We'll have to wait and see. At the moment, the body is good, I'm fit and healthy, so I've just got to keep going till I break down, I guess.”
Source: www.rugbynews.co.nz