Semi Radradra facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Semi Radradra Turagasoli-Waqavatu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 June 1992 Suva, Fiji |
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| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing information
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Rugby league
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| Position | Wing, Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union
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| Position | Centre, Wing, Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 7 April 2023
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Medals
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Semi Radradra Turagasoli-Waqavatu (born 13 June 1992) is a famous Fijian rugby player. He plays both rugby union and rugby league. He is currently a rugby union player for the French club Lyon and the Fiji national team. People call him 'Semi Trailer' because he is a powerful player. He usually plays as a wing in both sports.
Semi started his career playing rugby sevens (a type of rugby union) for Fiji in 2011. Then, he switched to rugby league and played for the Parramatta Eels in Australia. He even played international rugby league for both Fiji and Australia. This makes him a rare player who has represented two countries in rugby league and also played international rugby union for Fiji!
In 2017, he changed back to rugby union and joined the French club Toulon. Later, he moved to Bordeaux Bègles in 2018. He made his international rugby union debut for Fiji in 2018 and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. In 2019, he joined Bristol Bears in England, and in 2023, he moved to Lyon.
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Semi Radradra's Early Life
Semi Radradra comes from a village called Somosomo in Taveuni, Fiji. He played rugby union for the Vatukoula Rugby Union club. He was chosen to play for the Fiji U20 team in 2011. He played as a centre in four matches during the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.
Later in 2011, Semi played for the Fiji national rugby sevens team at the 2011 Dubai Sevens. This is where the Parramatta Eels team from Australia noticed his talent.
Semi Radradra in Rugby League
Starting His Rugby League Journey
Semi Radradra first played for the Parramatta Eels' junior team in 2012. After that, he moved to their senior team, the Wentworthville Magpies.
Making a Mark in the NRL (2013-2015)
In 2013, Semi made his first appearance in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels. He scored his first NRL try that same year. He also played for Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2014, Semi was the top try-scorer in the 2014 Auckland Nines tournament. He scored three tries in his first game of the season, earning him the nickname "Semi-Trailer." He was named the best winger of the year in the Dally M awards. He scored 19 tries in 24 games for the Eels. He also won the Fiji Bati International Player of the Year Award.
In 2015, Semi continued to shine. He scored hat-tricks in the first round of two different NRL seasons. He even broke a 61-year-old record by scoring two or more tries in five games in a row! He finished the season as the top try-scorer with 24 tries, a new club record for the Eels. For the second year, he was named the Dally M Winger of the Year. He was also the first Fijian player to be named in the 2015 RLIF Team of the Year.
Playing for Australia (2016)
In 2016, Semi played for the World All Stars team and scored a try. He then decided to play international rugby for Australia. He wanted to play against the best teams and show his skills. He made his debut for Australia in the 2016 Anzac Test against New Zealand. He played in 19 matches for the Eels, scoring 12 tries. He also played for the Prime Minister's XIII team against Papua New Guinea, scoring a try.
Final Season with Parramatta (2017)
In 2017, Semi had an amazing season. He scored four tries in one game against the St George Illawarra Dragons. This was the first time a Parramatta player had done this since 2006. He scored another four tries in a big win over Brisbane, and a hat-trick against Souths. In his last game for Parramatta, he scored an incredible 90-meter solo try. He finished 2017 with 22 tries in 26 games.
Semi Radradra in Rugby Union
Playing in France: Toulon and Bordeaux
In late 2016, it was announced that Semi would join the French rugby union club Toulon after the 2017 NRL season. He made his debut for Toulon in October 2017. He scored his first try for the club in a European Rugby Champions Cup match just 62 seconds after coming onto the field!
In 2018, Semi signed a two-year deal with another French team, Bordeaux.
Joining Bristol Bears in England
In November 2019, Semi Radradra moved to England to play for the Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership. He played for them until 2023, when he decided to return to France to play for Lyon.
Playing for the Barbarians
In May 2018, Semi was chosen to play for the Barbarians team against England. He scored one try and helped his team win the match. He was named the best player of the match!
Representing Fiji in Rugby Union
In May 2018, Semi was selected to play for the Fiji national team in the Pacific Nations Cup. In November 2018, he scored a try in Fiji's historic win over France. It was the first time Fiji had ever beaten France!
Semi Radradra in Rugby Sevens
Olympic Gold Medalist
Semi was named in the Fiji squad for the 2018 London Sevens tournament. He scored three tries and helped Fiji win the title against South Africa.
He made his Olympic debut for Fiji at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He was part of the Fiji squad for the men's rugby sevens tournament. Semi and his team won the gold medal after beating New Zealand in the final!
Personal Life
Semi is known by his nickname "Semi Trailer" because of his powerful running on the field.
Semi is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He got married to his wife in the Suva Fiji Temple in 2017.
