“And I feel like both sides always do that regardless of where they’re going during that year. You know, on Anzac Day, everyone plays a tough brand of footy, I feel.”
Radley says the lessons he has learnt from five previous Anzac Day showdowns have provided him with perspective.
“I’m just grateful to live in this country as well,” he said. “I grew up in Bronte Beach. I’ve had a great life. And it’s because of the people that’s gone before us. So I’m extremely grateful.”
Radley is as true blue and dinky-di as a can of Bully beef, yet he insists he has no regrets about his decision in 2022 to declare himself available for England, his father’s homeland.
The 27-year-old has since appeared in nine Test matches and hopes to play against the Kangaroos in a three-Test series at the end of the season.
“That’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Radley said. “Some of those tours have been the greatest months of my life. I’m just extremely grateful that I get the chance to play for England.”
Playing for England, however, effectively cruelled his State of Origin dream.
But now there appears a glimmer of hope that he could yet enjoy the best of both worlds, amid reports that International Rugby League officials are reviewing eligibility rules regarding tier-one nations and Origin.
Victor Radley is sent to the sin bin on Anzac Day in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Radley is not holding his breath.
“I probably wouldn’t get picked for Origin anyway, even if they change it,” he said.
“So it hasn’t really crossed my mind too much. I’m just worried about playing for the Roosters and then, touch wood, I get the chance to play for England again at the end of the year.
“If you ask my mum, she’ll say it’s just not fair. But, hey, that’s the rules as they are, and I made that decision, because of that gut feeling I had.
“If they change it, we’ll see what happens from there. But the conversation’s been going on for years and nothing’s happened.”
A renowned firebrand, Radley is confident he can keep his emotions under control on Friday, after copping a stint in the sin bin in his last Anzac Day appearance, in 2023.
“I think in years past, I might have done it in big games, finals games, and it kind of cost me,” he said. “So I feel like I’ve learnt some lessons, and you get that with age.
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“I learnt the hard way. So I’m not too worried about that now.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson, meanwhile, agreed with Radley that Anzac Day is the biggest regular season occasion of the year, although he acknowledged last week’s Good Friday clash between Canterbury and South Sydney – which drew a record crowd of 65,305 – was “amazing”.
“Outside of the grand final, I feel like this is the best day … there’s nothing bigger than the Anzac Day game as far as what it means to the two teams, but what it means to Australia and New Zealand,” Robinson said.
“That’s how I feel about it anyway.”
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
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