Samu Kerevi has declared he is not only ready to return to the Test arena if selected to take on England at Twickenham on Sunday, he is also confident he can rediscover the powerhouse form that once saw him classed as one of the world’s best players.
Kerevi issued a strong statement of self-belief and also gave an endorsement of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s readiness for Test rugby, with the NRL convert being strongly considered for a debut from the bench.
Kerevi is short odds to win a recall to the Wallabies’ midfield against England after incumbent No.12 Hunter Paisami picked up a calf injury and did not travel with the squad last week. The other main option, Hamish Stewart, is with the Australia A team.
Kerevi hasn’t played a Test since the World Cup, after the Japan-based centre missed the Wallabies’ July series and the Rugby Championship despite interest from coach Joe Schmidt.
It’s not often a player grows in a coach’s estimation by turning down selection, but that proved the case for Schmidt and Kerevi after the 108kg centre told the Wallabies coach he needed to get fitter and stronger before wearing the gold jersey again.
Joseph Suaalii and Samu Kerevi at Wallabies training.Credit: Getty Images
“I spoke to him probably during the Olympics as the boys were about to come into camp,” Kerevi said.
“Just about joining the Wallabies and I just felt I needed a pre-season still. [It] came off the back of the World Cup and I wasn’t really happy with how I performed. So I wanted to get the body right and feel like myself again.
“I think he was more appreciative of myself wanting to do that. I didn’t want to [just] come into the team because he wanted me, or the squad needed a centre or whatever.”
After suffering an ACL rupture at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Kerevi made it back for the World Cup but struggled to make the same impact seen in his prior Test career. He started in all the games until Eddie Jones dropped him for the last Test against Portugal.
It was to be expected given the recent injury, but many still wondered if the 31-year-old’s best days were now behind him. Kerevi played out the season with his Japanese club, Urayasu D-Rocks, but hasn’t played a competition match since May.
Kerevi acknowledged a lack of recent game time but said he was well-versed in how to be at his best at Test level.
“I’ve played over 40 caps now (49) at Test level – I know what it feels like to be in that arena and what your body needs, but also the mindset that you need,” Kerevi said.
Backed for a Test debut: Suaalii at training.Credit: Getty Images
“Since being in Japan, there’s been a lot of conversations like that. [I] came back in ’21, came back in ’23, and it’s always been the same. ‘Japan league is this, Japan league is that.’ But internally, I know what it takes to be at a Test level. If I’m selected this week, I’ll be ready to go.”
Asked if, at 31, he could still be the same dominant force of yesteryear, Kerevi said: “Yeah, 100 per cent. The thing with me is there’s always highs and lows of rugby and everyone’s got an opinion.
“I know what I think about myself. I know the work I’ve put in, not just these last couple of years, but 11 years now.”
Ahead of the tour, Schmidt mentioned Kerevi as a potential mentor for Suaalii, who was flagged by the coach for an almost-certain Test debut on tour. It could come as soon as Sunday morning.
Kerevi applauded Suaalii for him peppering him with questions, and said he’d be ready if called upon.
“You’ve seen him play in the top level of rugby league. Even though it’s a different game, the translation of how he competes is there,” Kerevi said.
“Physically, he’s there. He’s ready. Even as a 21-year-old, he reminds you bits and pieces of Izzy [Folau].
“He’ll be ready as a footy player at the end of the day. He backs himself, which is what you want. I think his attention to detail is really good because he wants to learn the game more, know his role really well and execute it, especially under Test lights.”
Kerevi also defended Jones from criticisms by former England player Danny Care in a new book, in which he said players and staff were terrified of Jones, and England camp was like living in a “dystopian” novel.
“The pursuit of excellence puts pressure on everyone and that’s just what Eddie is like,” Kerevi said.
“I’ve got a good relationship with Eddie. I think he puts pressure, not just on the players, but the staff. I think that’s what Danny Care’s talking about, but again, it’s how you receive it. Whether you thrive under it.”
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