Castleford boss Lee Radford lands World Cup coaching gig

Drew Darbyshire
Lee Radford Castleford Tigers SWpix

Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Castleford coach Lee Radford will link up with Samoa at the upcoming World Cup where will work as an assistant coach after Andrew Webster pulled out.

The Tigers boss and Cronulla assistant Daniel Holdsworth have joined head coach Matt Patrish’s staff.

Former Bradford coach Geoff Toovey, ex-Hull forward Frank Pritchard and former Leeds chief Richard Agar are also on Samoa’s backroom team for the tournament.

Webster, who was a member of the Samoa coaching staff for the mid-season win over the Cook Islands, has stepped aside after being appointed New Zealand Warriors head coach for 2023.

Parish said: “We are really happy for Andrew Webster. It is a great opportunity for him and one he thoroughly deserves.

“Daniel Holdsworth, who has done a great job with the Sharks, will run our attack. I’m sure he will work well with our young spine.

“We also have Lee Radford, the Castleford coach, who has won two Challenge Cups with Hull FC. So while we are building a strong presence on the field, we certainly have a strong off-field staff as well.”

SAMOA: How Samoa could line-up at the Rugby League World Cup

Joseph Suaalii to be coached by Lee Radford at Samoa

Joseph Suaalii Sydney Roosters Samoa PA

Sydney Roosters teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii is the latest high-profile player to elect to represent his Samoan heritage at the upcoming World Cup.

The 19-year-old has scored 16 tries in 24 appearances for the Roosters since bursting onto the NRL scene in 2021.

Suaalii was born and raised in Australia to a Samoan father and an Australian mother of Cambodian and European heritage.

Earlier this week, the 6ft 5in winger let Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga know that he was going to represent Samoa.

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