Fiji Sun

I’ll Switch to NRL, Jokes Kerevi

We’re here to run over people, says Wallabies vice-captain.

- Source: TVNZ Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj Source: TVNZ leonec@fijisun.com.fj

Samu Kerevi has joked he’ll consider a switch to the NRL after being penalised in the most controvers­ial decision of Australia’s 29-25 loss to Wales on Sunday.

Kerevi was pinged for a bump-off of Wales five-eighth Rhys Patchell that left the Wallabies seething because it swung the course of the match late in the first half, with Wales rattling off 10 unanswered points. The incident involved Patchell approachin­g Kerevi front-on and upright before falling backwards to absorb the force of the bigger opponent. Yet it was Kerevi who was penalised after a long consultati­on between French referee Romain Poite and TMO Ben Skeen of New Zealand. They deemed the inside centre had dangerousl­y raised his forearm into Patchell’s chest/neck area. Flabbergas­ted Australian coach Michael Cheika reckoned Patchell’s technique mirrored that of Wallabies winger Reece Hodge, who was banned for three weeks for what was deemed a head high tackle on Fijian forward Peceli Yato last week. Kerevi said slow motion replays had worked against him, believing he had done nothing wrong. “I’ve been playing with that for my whole career. It’s the first time I’ve heard that I can’t lead with my arms and bump,” he said.

“The worrying thing is if he’s falling and I keep moving forward, which I would normally do, I could touch his head.”

“What do we do in that split second? ... I might as well just stop.” Kerevi said he may have to consider using footwork rather than go straight over the top of defenders, which has become a trademark.

The 26-year-old has signed a threeyear contract to play in Japan from next year but laughed he may consider a code switch if rugby’s rules become more stifling.

“I love my rugby league, so I’ll have a look at NRL then.

“If you want to play touch or go play basketball (then do it) but we’re here to run straight at people.”

 ??  ?? Fijian-born Wallabies Samu Kerevi (second from left) was penalised after consultati­ons between the TMO officials and the referee during their second Pool D Rugby World Cup match against Wales on September 29, 2019, in Japan.
Fijian-born Wallabies Samu Kerevi (second from left) was penalised after consultati­ons between the TMO officials and the referee during their second Pool D Rugby World Cup match against Wales on September 29, 2019, in Japan.
 ??  ?? Fijian-born All Blacks Sevu Reece (right) has been rested by coach Steve Hansen.
Fijian-born All Blacks Sevu Reece (right) has been rested by coach Steve Hansen.

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