Samu says playing in NZ lifted game
BOOM back- rower Pete Samu is equal parts stunned and rapt to be training with the Wallabies but he bluntly credits New Zealand coaching for his meteoric rise.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Samu has come from the Christchurch clouds to force his way into Australia’s squad for the three- Test series against Ireland starting on Saturday.
His rampaging Super Rugby form as a loose forward for the competition pacesetters has deservedly earned the nod, albeit received at the 11th hour after a trans- Tasman tussle.
By recently signing for the Brumbies next season, the 26- year- old was eligible for Wallabies selection but as he was still contracted to Tasman in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup it was held up until NZ Rugby granted a reluctant release at the weekend.
It’s not the only Kiwi gift the shy Samu is thankful for. After moving from Victoria, he had two stints in his early 20s for Sydney club Randwick and was also a member of the NSW Waratahs’ wider training squad.
But his career only started to take off when he crossed the ditch in 2014 and linked with Tasman, going from fourth grade to first grade in a week and then NPC level.
Samu, being sized up for a spot in Saturday’s opening Test at Suncorp Stadium, admitted Kiwi coaching was “the biggest reason” he could return home a Wallabies player.