Perese to push his case
IZAIA Perese is ready to press his claims for a Wallabies debut by starring for National Rugby Championship leaders Queensland Country on the Gold Coast this weekend.
The exciting outside back was released from the touring Australian squad – who on the weekend drew 27-all with South Africa – to get game time under his belt.
In doing so, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika dangled an irresistible carrot in front of his eyes, publicly referring to how Lukhan Tui used the NRC to springboard his case for a Test call-up and saying Perese could do the same after impressing on the training paddock.
“He’s killing it. That’s why I don’t want him to stay here and just train,” Cheika said.
Able to cover outside centre and wing, Perese said he had thrived in camp but had been itching for match play.
“I feel ready (to play for the Wallabies),” Perese admitted. “If the opportunity did come then I would grab it with both hands.”
Despite only making his Super Rugby debut for Queensland this year, the 20year-old is seen as a future star and is expected to add yet another dimension to the firing Country outfit.
The Brad Thorn-coached side are at the top of a fourway tie for first on the NRC ladder and will be striving for a fourth straight win when they take on bush rivals NSW Country Eagles at Bond University on Saturday.
It’s a nice change from the squad that had been more accustomed to battling to avoid the wooden spoon ever since Perese joined in 2015.
“The boys have been performing outstanding, the backs and the forwards, they are all putting their hands up,” Perese said.
“And it’s definitely well overdue.
“Last year we had a lot of potential but didn’t fully see it through. This year it is exciting what the boys are showing.”
While striving not to disrupt the team’s flow, he has promised to bring the Test atmosphere with him to Country.
“The intensity at training, bringing that back to the Country boys is the least I could do,” he said.
Perese was at Musgrave Hill State School yesterday for a Rookies2Reds promotion. Country host the Eagles from 4pm on Saturday at Bond.