Coming from the east side of the city, Radford was born to support Hull KR, the Robins, but it was at their deadly rivals Hull FC where he played and coached, famously being sacked live on TV by a boss who’d conveniently overlooked back-to-back Challenge Cup wins in 2016 and 2017.
In the most unique of rugby league towns, Radford developed a skin as thick as his Hull accent whenever the stick came his way so crossing codes, when he has previously crossed staunch geographical divides, is not something that necessarily fazes the jovial 44-year-old charity boxer with the capacity to bounce back off the ropes.
After losing his job at Hull in 2020, Radford was all set for his first-ever coaching stint in professional rugby union, with new MLR franchise Dallas Jackals. But Covid put paid to that and he took another job in Super League instead, at Castleford, whilst also steering Samoa to their first-ever Rugby League World Cup final.
Radford seemed certain to go to the NRL in Australia once his time at Cas was up but Saints came calling, determined to rid themselves of their defensive frailties by going down a well-worn path and recruiting from rugby league.
Defences in rugby union have been heavily influenced by incomers from league ever since John Muggleton stamped his mark on the 1999 World Cup-winning Wallabies, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup after only conceding one try all tournament. And on the face of it, Radford is in a no-lose position; Saints’ defence can hardly be any worse than last season when they top-scored with 91 tries but conceded 95 at the other end, only one fewer than bottom club Newcastle.
Esta historia es de la edición July 09, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 09, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
