Samu Kerevi

Concerns over Samu Kerevi as Wallabies prepare for World Cup opener

Ahead of the Wallabies' biggest session of the week, in the lead-up to their first game against Georgia on Sunday morning (AEST), Kerevi was not involved in the warm-up.

The Fiji-born star was the only player from the 33-man Wallabies squad who was not on the field in the 15-minute window for reporters to take photos and video.

He was later seen in a dugout without his boots on as his teammates got the session underway.

Kerevi insists he's not the answer as Wallabies search for a new outside centre

The only problem is, the class act seemingly best equipped to replace Ikitau at outside centre in the two coming Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks doesn’t want to play there.

Samu Kerevi first burst onto the Test scene in 2016 as a dynamic No.13 and reluctant No.12.

Now it’s the opposite, and it looked that way after Kerevi shifted from inside to outside centre after Ikitau was injured while scoring Australia’s opening try in Saturday night’s 34-31 Rugby Championship loss to Argentina.

Wallabies star Samu Kerevi named in Australian sevens squad for Commonwealth Games

A year after he shone for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, Kerevi is again the headline name in Australia’s 12-man squad as they chase gold in Birmingham at the end of July.

While the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee couldn’t guide Australia to a podium finish in his sevens debut last year, Kerevi will be eyeing better fortunes in the United Kingdom.

To do so, the 28-year-old will need to reproduce the blockbusting form that made him not only one of the form players at the Tokyo Olympics, but one of rugby’s best performers last year.

Ex-Wallabies star Samu Kerevi named in Australian Olympic sevens squad

Kerevi has been named as the highest-profile member in Tim Walsh’s squad as Australia narrow in on the Games, where they will look to challenge for a podium finish.

The 33-test international confirmed his switch from the XV-man game to sevens in May following the completion of the Top League in Japan, where he had been playing for Suntory Sungoliath.

Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi relishing playing outside All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett in Japan

Among Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s top targets from overseas-based players, Kerevi ran amok, bagging two tries as Suntory Sungoliath outclassed Munakata Sanix Blues 75-10.

With four tries in three games, blockbusting centre Kerevi is relishing life playing outside All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett.

Such is the pair’s scintillating form in Japan, Kerevi and Barrett could easily meet up on opposite sides later in the year during the Bledisloe Cup.

Samu Kerevi addresses outrage at Fiji switch reports

The 26-year-old said that he has moved from the Reds to Japanese outfit Suntory Sungoliath after his manager said that it will help him qualify for Fiji for the RWC in France. With only 33 caps to his name, Kerevi is now unable to represent Australia under the Giteau Law, which requires overseas players to have over 60 caps.

This has received the level of outrage that would be expected, with accusations of disloyalty being thrown at Kerevi. However, he has since responded, sharing a statement on Instagram, where he says his comments were taken out of context.

'The way rugby is going, I might as well join the NRL next'

French referee Romain Poite and the television match official punished Kerevi after a first-half collision with Wales replacement Rhys Patchell, who appeared to catch Kerevi high.

A lengthy television match official review followed and it was decided that Kerevi had made contact with Patchell’s throat with his elbow, although it seemed unintentional.

Cheika could not mask his frustration at events after a game that was stopped several times to check the legality of tackles.

Samu Kerevi in awe of veteran All Black

Williams made a devastating contribution to New Zealand's 36-0 trouncing of Australia's Bledisloe Cup hopes at Eden Park on Saturday, scoring one try after missing the last two tests.

Kerevi was one of the defenders he minced on his charge for the try line. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will have to pause for thought before he starts crossing out names on New Zealand's World Cup squad list.

Brad Thorn's challenge revitalises Wallabies star Samu Kerevi

The Wallabies centre admitted he had Queensland coach Brad Thorn to thank for forcing him to make the move inside to No.12 in the off-season last year.

It was a shuffle that became the catalyst for career-best performances for the Reds and a spot at the top of the Test selectors' lists in a World Cup year.

Kerevi was a regular at inside centre for Australia under Michael Cheika but had not set the world on fire in a losing Test side. When Thorn suggested he make the switch at Super Rugby level before the start of last season he was set against it.

Kerevi keeps lid on future, says Reds can win title

Kerevi has long been earmarked as a future captain of the club and while he may only be contracted until the end of 2019, Queensland fans will be hoping he is their leader for many years to come.

The star centre will replace Scott Higginbotham as skipper.

It’s understood the veteran back rower will still form part of an extended leadership group.

The captaincy armband is not completely foreign to Kerevi, who has already led the team on seven separate occasions while one of James Slipper or Higginbotham have been absent.