New- look Kerevi a lean, mean trampling machine
SAMU Kerevi has his mojo back and the tackle- trampling centre feels ready to reassert himself as a Wallabies starter now he has shed 3kg.
How coach Michael Cheika is weighing up Kerevi among his multiple centre options for the Test against Wales in Cardiff is full of intrigue after the powerful Fijian’s imposing game at inside centre against Japan last Saturday.
With two tries in Yokohama, he was back to top form, purging the last time he started a Test – the dire defensive play in Sydney in August when the All Blacks put on a 40- 6 firsthalf rampage.
Being demoted to the bench for five Tests can work wonders and the glee with which the diving Kerevi planted the ball one- handed for his second try in Yokohama said it all.
“I just wanted to do my job … run over people,” Kerevi said.
Such focus will be music to Cheika’s ears as he weighs up Kurtley Beale, Karmichael Hunt or the 104kg Kerevi as the centre partner for Tevita Kuridrani at Millennium Stadium early on Sunday morning ( AEDT).
“Obviously, everyone is going for a starting spot. Whether it’s me, Tevita, Karmichael, Billy ( Meakes) or ( Curtis) Rona in the centres, all of us are pushing and the competition is a positive thing,” Kerevi said.
The Test was one of his first 80- minute displays at any level since his ankle injury five months ago, which pleased Cheika who said: “He’s a front- line player for us and we needed him to get out and play more.”
It doesn’t matter that the Welsh will be bigger bodies now he’s listening to teammate Will Genia’s simple advice: “Back yourself and just enjoy your footy.”
“I think I was putting too much pressure on myself so I more went out to enjoy it against Japan,” Kerevi said.