Lee Radford tips Israel Folau as Man of Steel candidate

Hull coach Lee Radford thinks Israel Folau could be a candidate for Super League’s Man of Steel award this year.

The 30-year-old made a try scoring debut for Catalans in their 36-18 win over Castleford in Perpignan a fortnight ago.

Folau will play his first game for the Dragons on English soil this Sunday when they travel to Hull.

Radford said: “He’s an absolute talent, he could be Man of Steel.

“He’s multi-talented, at league, union, AFL, you can tell he’s played AFL by how he jumps, he jumps like Michael Jordan.

“He’s a brilliant player. I’m really looking forward to seeing Griff (Josh Griffin) go up against him because Griff is in a bit of form as well at the minute.

“He looks right at it in terms of performances so it’s a ding-donger and I know Griff is looking forward to it as well.

“Folau is a real aerial threat. The only way to stop that is to try and make them kick out their own end and obviously that’s something we’ve got to do very well on Sunday.”

Hull say a rainbow flag continues to fly outside the KCOM Stadium and Radford expects Folau to receive a frosty reception when he visits on Sunday.

Radford added: “He’ll probably get booed when he gets the football, booed when he scores and cheered when he misses a tackle.

“He’ll get the same moans and groans as anybody playing for Hull KR would get I reckon.”

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