Rugby: Veteran Radike Samo's selection for Australia is a 'dream come true'

The 35-year-old No 8's inclusion for next month's tournament in New Zealand is the feelgood story of the Wallabies' 30-man squad and caps an incredible rise after his career looked over just 18 months ago.

After stints in France and Japan, Samo was playing club rugby in Brisbane until an injury crisis at the Queensland Reds saw him gain a call-up from Ewen McKenzie. He made an immediate impact and continued that form into 2011, playing a key role in the Reds' title success and gaining a Wallaby call-up this season for the first time in seven years.

And it took just a 15-minute cameo in the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa last weekend for Deans to rubber-stamp his spot on the plane next month. "It's a dream come true," Samo said of his surprise selection. "A lot of rugby players, even though they play Test footy they always want to play in a World Cup. It comes around every four years so I'm proud of myself to make the 30-man squad."

Samo's selection is a case of third time lucky for the hard-running back-rower after he missed out on a spot in Fiji's squad in 2003, while he was not eligible for Australia for the last tournament as he was playing in Europe. He admits he thought he would never get the opportunity to play at the World Cup when he headed to France in 2007 but the support of Deans and his family changed all that.

"When I went overseas I really thought that was it for me," Samo said. "Until last year when I came back I got a call from Robbie (Deans] that really pushed me hard for the World Cup this year."