Wallabies No.8 Radike Samo is revelling in his new found cult status at an age when most elite players have retired or are are winding down.
Less than a week out from Australia’s departure for the World Cup in New Zealand, Samo is still coming to terms with making the squad.
The 35-year-old galloped his way into the hearts and affections of Australian rugby fans with a sensational 60-metre solo try in Saturday’s Tri Nations title-clinching win over New Zealand in Brisbane.
Fending off one player and outsprinting another two, Samo collected plenty of kudos following his first Test start for seven years.
With his big hair and equally big game, powerful Samo has broadened his appeal beyond Queensland’s boundaries to rugby fans across Australia.
Asked by reporters what it felt like to be described as the Wallabies’ X-Factor, Samo said on Wednesday: “I think it’s pretty cool what people think or what people say.
“But for me, I just want to turn up and play rugby.”
His memorable try and triumphant return to Test rugby added another chapter to an extraordinary season for Samo.
He emerged as a pivotal figure in Queensland’s charge to the Super Rugby title after Reds coach Ewen McKenzie resurrected his representative career.
Back after a stint in Japan, Samo never considered himself a World Cup squad contender until the Reds made the Super finals.
“All I wanted was to come back and have another crack at Super Rugby,” Samo said.
“I can’t believe I’m standing here getting ready to go to the World Cup next week, so it’s been an awesome season.”
Signed to Queensland for two more years, Samo 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,” Samo said.
Halfback Nick Phipps is the only Wallaby scheduled to play a club game this weekend, with the back-up halfback to come off the bench for Sydney University.
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