Lee Radford reveals Samoa mental strength as he masterminds key semi-final detail

Lee Radford has done it all in the British game and now he’s ready for the biggest prize of all. The former Hull FC head coach is a Rugby League World Cup finalist and the story is far from over.

Part of the Samoa coaching staff, the 43-year-old will join current Black and Whites player Ligi Sao at Old Trafford next weekend in what will be the greatest day of the Pacific Islands rugby league history.

Samoa stunned England on Saturday afternoon to win the second semi-final 27-26 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, with Stephen Crichton’s Golden Point drop-goal completing the most remarkable turnaround from the opening game. Radford, meanwhile, was full of praise for Samoa, who used their faith to put that 60-6 defeat behind them and set up a final against current world champions Australia.

Read more: World Cup final bound Ligi Sao stars for Samoa and offers Hull FC a new option

“I’m amazed at how quick they got over the first defeat to England,” Radford explained post-match. “One of the biggest differences in culture is the pray maker. He said after the game to forget about it and move on and they literally forgot about it and moved on – in fact by the time they got on the bus.

“That was a real eye opener for me. I was nearly in tears on the bus reading my messages off everybody who was giving me stick. They didn’t dwell on it, that is for sure.

“Our preparation was awful, half the side were in England and half were on the sauce in Australia. I still didn’t think we’d be as bad as we were, but we’ve got a bit better each game. Today we got better again.”

The victory, secured after try braces from Tim Lafai and Stephen Crichton, with a try added from Ligi Sao for good measure, was nothing less than Samoa deserved, who have had a clear focus on ruck control and detail over the last four weeks.

Frustrating England and controlling the tempo of the game, it was a complete contrast to the opener in Newcastle, with Samoa buying into the lessons taught by Hull’s former back to back winning coach.

“The difference of the ruck tempo is significant from Super League to the NRL,” Radford continued. “We almost had to teach some boys to do some things that they’ve not done for a long, long time or never done in their careers.

“To get clarification on that tempo and what you can get away with in that detail on the floor is probably our biggest improvement. I thought today we got the majority of that right.

”We have progressed nicely in the games. We pieced some nice stuff together defensively.”

Samoa now face Australia in the final in one of the biggest stories in the history of rugby league. Set for a trip to Manchester, they are the first tier two nation to reach the World Cup final.

“Who’d have thought that ten minutes after the first game,” Radford added. “They (Australia) are obviously a fantastic side as well, but you never know.”

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