Samu Kerevi red card opens door for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to start remaining Grand Slam games for Wallabies
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will challenge the red-card call that could end Samu Kerevi’s spring tour, but a suspension will open the door for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to build on his international portfolio.
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It wasn’t a glorious repeat of his Test debut, but Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii did well enough in his 18-minute cameo against Wales to suggest he’ll be starting the final two games against Scotland and Ireland.
That decision could be made easily for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt if Samu Kerevi, who was red-carded for a high tackle, is suspended by World Rugby.
Schmidt is keen to contest the red card ruling, but given Kerevi is only expected to be available for next weekend’s clash in Edinburgh, even a one-match ban would likely end his tour and give Suaalii automatic selection in the midfield.
Kerevi’s 20-minute red card in the 42nd minute disrupted Schmidt’s pre-match plan to bring off outside centre Len Ikitau, and match Kerevi with Suaalii in the centres.
With Kerevi first sin-binned for his head on head shot against Welsh flanker Jac Morgan by referee James Doleman, then upgraded to a red card by television match official Marius van der Westhuizen, the Wallabies were reduced to 14 men until the 62nd minute.
Then Suaalii was finally able to enter the fray, with Ikitau moving in to the No. 12 position and the former NRL star attacking and defending at outside centre, as was the case last week at Twickenham.
Suaalii made two strong tackles, caught a chip kick and made a couple of carries, but the play was largely on the opposite side of the field from where he was stationed.
“We had Nic White come off with a HIA and we just feel like it’s pretty tough for Samu, playing his 50th game, and to be sent off in that tackle,” Schmidt said.
“He’s pretty distraught, 50th game for the Wallabies and getting that red card. He was trying to drop into the tackle, and I felt (Morgan) just dropped as well.
“We were surprised that there was no mitigation, particularly because Jac played on, and there was no ping on his mouthguard, so it was then described as high danger. But that’s just the world we live in now, and we will look at that closely and potentially ask some questions through the right channels.”
Originally published as Samu Kerevi red card opens door for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to start remaining Grand Slam games for Wallabies