Wallabies No 8 Radike Samo is ready to live up to his newfound cult status at an age when most elite players have retired or are winding down.

The 35 year old galloped his way into the hearts and affections of Australian fans with a sensational 60 meter solo try in the Tri-Nations title clinching win over New Zealand in Brisbane.

Fending off one player and out-sprinting another two, Samo collected plenty of praises after his first test start for seven years.

With his big hair and equally big game, powerful Samo has broadened his appeal beyond Queensland’s boundaries to fans across Australia.

Asked by reporters what it felt like to be described as the Wallabies X-Factor, Samo said that it is pretty cool what people think or what people say but for him he just wants to turn up and play rugby.

Australia is in Pool C with Ireland, Italy, Russia and USA.

The World Cup kicks off this Friday with NZ taking on Tonga at 8.30pm and you can catch the live radio commentary of the match on Viti-FM with the new voice of rugby Malakai Veisamasama and 2007 World Cup coach Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi