When Victor Radley announced that he would be playing for England in the Rugby League their was a mixed reaction but the Sydney Roosters loose-forward has quickly developed into not only one of England’s best forwards but one of the tournament’s too.
Last week was a special moment for him as he played in Sheffield, where his family come from, as England defeated Greece 94-4 at Bramall Lane.
Today’s quarter final against Papua New Guinea is set to be emotional for Radley too.
That’s because he’ll be up against one of his best friends in Leigh Leopards Lachlan Lam as he opened up on their relationship as well as the belief instilled in them by Lam’s dad and Leigh boss Adrian formerly of the Wigan Warriors.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played against him, maybe as a schoolboy,” Radley said of Lachlan according to Zerotackle.
“It’ll be a tough match with PNG. He (Lam) has been a big part of my life and (Lam’s father) Adrian has been a massive part of my football career.
“It’s funny, seven years old from Burrows Park on the cliff there at Clovelly (to the world stage),” Radley continued.
“Adrian always believed we’d be here. I remember him saying we would play in the NRL together. It’s all because of him that we are here.”
So Lam has overseen the development of two of the tournament’s best players as well as one of Super League’s next stars: Lachlan Lam.
Perhaps this Leigh connection could tempt Radley to the club one day.