Victor Radley says Wigan Warriors and St Helens clashes allowed him to see Super League-NRL gulf was overstated

Victor Radley is fast becoming a favourite among England Rugby League supporters.

‘The Inflictor’ opted to represent his father’s homeland over his birthplace, Australia, and it is fast becoming an inspired decision.

Radley has excelled in the opening two World Cup victories over Samoa and France, and he is set to feature against Greece in Sheffield this week, ironically the city where his father was born.

This isn’t Radley’s first time visiting these shores as a rugby league player though, having faced Wigan Warriors and St Helens in the World Club Challenge.

Playing for the Sydney Roosters, Radley helped his side defeat Wigan 20-8 at the DW Stadium in 2019, before defending the trophy a year later beating St Helens 20-12 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Speaking to the BBC 5 Live Rugby League Podcast, Radley explained how those matches helped him realise the difference in quality between the NRL and Super League wasn’t significant.

“By coming over here a few times for the World Club Challenge I knew a little bit of what I was in for,” said Radley.

“Some people say the NRL is way above Super League, but I don’t believe that.

“When we played St Helens and Wigan, we won both of those games but only by a bit.

“We could easily have lost them so I knew that the standard of players was going to be high coming over here.”

Radley also spoke in detail about the qualities of his new England teammates, admitting he has been ‘blown away’ by the talent on show.

“It has blown me away by how tough they are and how fast they all move,” added Radley.

“I think that is part of the English culture, going hard no matter what and I have felt that with Waney (Shaun Wane) and all the players at training.

“Everyone just goes so hard and they won’t stop. They don’t care how tired they get these boys, they don’t have any give in them.

“That has been the big one, seeing how hard everyone works, seeing how fit they are and how mentally strong everyone is.

“The whole team is just so strong mentally and physically and that’s why I think we’re going to win the World Cup.”