Samu Kerevi ready for Wallabies Test rugby return despite lack of game time
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Australia rugby coach Joe Schmidt (above) has "brought a different aspect to the way we want to play the game", says Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi.
PHOTO: AFP
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CAPE TOWN – Australia centre Samu Kerevi is relishing a potential return to Test rugby against England at the weekend and said that he would be ready even if he has had little game time over the last six months.
The 31-year-old last played for Australia at the World Cup in France more than a year ago and has played no competitive rugby since May, when his season with Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks ended.
But he was confident that he would be up to the task if picked by coach Joe Schmidt for the international clash at Twickenham on Nov 9.
“I’ve played over 40 caps now at Test level,” he told a press conference on Nov 4.
“I know what it feels like to be in that arena and what your body needs to give in terms of that, but more so the mindset that you need.
“I know what it takes to be at the Test level.
“Sure, I haven’t got a lot of game time since we finished in May this year, but if I’m selected this week, I’ll be ready to go.
“If it’s next week or the week after, I’m keen to get on the field.”
He is one of two overseas-based players picked for Australia’s four-Test tour of Europe in November when they take on England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland over four consecutive weekends.
It is the first time Kerevi has worked with new Wallabies coach Schmidt, who has obviously impressed him.
“I think Joe’s brought a different aspect to the way we want to play the game,” he added.
“Just being in (the squad) the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen the skill set of the boys go to another level, which they’re already at, but just the way they play and the tempo.”
He felt that it was even more impressive given that the 59-year-old has not had much time with the squad.
“We’ve had three coaches in the last three years and the boys haven’t had a lot of time for Joe to come in and change everything, so there’s been a lot of adapting over the last couple of weeks,” Kerevi said.
“For myself, just seeing the way Joe wants to play… everything’s attacking, the kicking game, the way we want to move the ball, but also in and around the ruck and all that.”
Australia go into this weekend’s Test after a disappointing Rugby Championship where they lost five of six matches and finished bottom of the standings. REUTERS
