Lam looking to replace his injured star

BRISTOL Bears rugby director Pat Lam has confirmed he is scanning the market to do what most observers think is impossible and bring in a replacement for injured Semi Radradra, writes John Evely.

Bristol confirmed on Friday that their star centre will be out for around 16 weeks following knee surgery, having sustained the injury while playing for Fiji at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Discussing Radradra’s loss in more detail, Lam said: “It is always disappointing to lose a player, but that is what you expect in this sport and what you plan for.

“We lost him for periods of time last season and other guys stepped up and did the role.

“I think the key is he will be back for some pretty important games at the back end of this season, which will be good.

“The other thing is, with his professionalism, hopefully he will be back earlier than predicted.”

When Radradra was absent on international duty or nursing a knee injury last season, Piers O’Conor wore the 13 jersey 11 times with Henry Purdy and Alapati Leiua each starting once at outside centre. However, if the stats are to be believed, Radradra makes Bristol 22 per cent better when he is in the starting line-up.

Lam said: “We saw at times last year Piers O’Conor stepped up into that role and did a great job.

“In terms of our plans, nothing changes. Whoever steps in and puts the jersey on it is about world-class effort rather than world-class players. That is what we built this team on when we first started.

“Everyone is replaceable. I think that is the important thing in a team sport. If you try to build something relying on individuals and players then it is not going to last, because everyone is going to leave or get injured at some stage. We are not reliant on that.”

Discussing current recruitment plans to bring in a short-term replacement for Radradra, Lam explained it is a difficult landscape to add top players, but confirmed he and his backroom team intend to add to the squad.

He said: “We are looking at it at the moment. At this time of year most guys are in contract, but we are certainly looking for a replacement while Semi is out.”

Lam’s recruitment search will likely be focused on the other side of the world, with Japan’s newly renamed Japan Rugby League One – which replaces the Top League – not kicking off until January 7, while the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season is due to get underway on February 18.