Pair facing off in race to fill boots of Kerevi

TEVITA Kuridrani and Curtis Rona could be involved in a “shootout” for the Wallabies outside centre spot when they clash in the final round of Super Rugby.

Reds star Samu Kerevi, the No.13 in all three of Australia’s Tests against Ireland in June, has been sidelined for between 12 and 16 weeks after rupturing a bicep.

That means Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will be forced to name a new outside centre for the Rugby Championship matches between August and October.

Brumbies stalwart Kuridrani has the experience, playing the vast majority of his 58 Tests in that position, but the Waratah Rona is no stranger to that position.

The former NRL star played there for the Western Force through 2017. He has spent most of the current season at No.13 for the Tahs, after playing their first four matches on the wing.

Rebels utility Reece Hodge is probably the only other contender for the jersey. Providing they stay fit and in form, Rona and Kuridrani are set to line up against each other in Super Rugby in just over a week.

“With Tevita Kuridrani and Curtis it’s probably a straight shootout between them (for the No.13 Test jersey) and that’s an absolute opportunity for Curtis,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said.

“He knows he’s got two regular season games to go to get himself firmly in that selection conversation, he’ll do that through his performance.”

Players in other positions will be keen to put themselves on Cheika’s selection radar.

THE Queensland Reds beat the Melbourne Rebels 37-23 in their Super Rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium last night.

In Christchurch, the Crusaders downed the Highlanders 45-22.