Samo won his first Super Rugby title with Williams at the Brumbies in 2001 and the Wallabies forwards coach is so impressed by the reborn Red's second-coming that he rates him fitter and better now.
The Fiji-born back rower was the major bolter in Australia's 40-man squad, which assembled in Sydney on Monday, riding off the back of Queensland's 2011 success.
It surprised few of his state team-mates, who have applauded Samo's physicality and intensity since Ewen McKenzie plucked him out of semi-retirement in Sydney club rugby last year.
Williams, who was 31 when he was a member of the Wallabies' triumphant 1999 World Cup squad, says he has done more than just turn back the clock.
"He's still in great nick, it's incredible," Williams said.
"I'd say he's even fitter now than he was back when I played with him.
"He's playing just as well I think and with Radike it's always about the intensity."
The towering Samo, who played six Tests in 2004, agrees he is in better shape, and puts his Lazarus-like comeback down to his young Reds team-mates and a decision to abstain from alcohol.
"A lot of people think I'm old but it's only a number and these guys make it easy for me," he said.
Samo's father died in February last year and he has not had a hard drink since.
"The Fijian culture says you have to do it (abstain) for three months and I decided to not to drink and now have given up, which has been good for me this season," he said.
"I've been performing well during training and during the games, so I think that's the difference, that's made it easier for me."
With the Wallabies searching for an enforcer with Wycliff Palu currently sidelined, Samo's form, impact and combination with Reds half-back Will Genia makes him a genuine number eight selection option.
The two are close off the field also, even to the point Queensland team-mates have playfully nicknamed the 172-centimetre Genia 'Rusi', after Samo's nine-year-old son.
"He is pretty much the same height and everyone calls him (Will) Rusi," he said.
"In December he grew a bit of hair and because my son had an afro they started calling him Rusi.
"Will ended up cutting his hair, but the boys still call him Rusi."
One reason. Young Rusi Samo is such a big Genia fan he also shaved his head to continue to look more like his idol than his wild-haired dad.
- AAP
Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000 First posted July 11, 2011 16:42:00
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