Kerevi’s Olympic dream fuelled by unfinished Wallabies business

When Samu Kerevi walked off the field in Oita following the Wallabies’ quarter final loss to England at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, he thought it would be his last time wearing an Australian jersey.

And while the 29-Test centre is not part of the plans of Wallabies coach Dave Rennie given he now plays in Japan, it turns out Kerevi hasn’t played his final game for Australia.

Samu Kerevi and Jack Maddocks watch on from the sidelines of Australians sevens training.

Kerevi was named on Thursday in the Australian sevens squad which will face New Zealand and Fiji in Townsville at the end of the month. It’s a three-day tournament which will make or break Kerevi’s Olympic dream.

“I think after the World Cup, I thought that was it,” Kerevi said.

“You always have the urge to play high level rugby. Especially when you’re playing for your nation. You never forget the taste of the jersey when you get the honour of wearing it and running out with it with 14 other mates.

“I think it’s a really special thing to have in your career but for me, it’s the memories you make with those teammates. I just want to make some great memories with the sevens boys now.”

Samu Kerevi in his last game for the Wallabies in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.Credit: Getty

Kerevi emerged from two weeks in hard quarantine on Thursday and went straight to the team’s Moore Park headquarters to watch training.

He’s already impressed coach Tim Walsh, who initially planned to pick Kerevi in the Barbarians team that will also take part in the Oceania tournament in Townsville.

“Just by virtue of having a player of his calibre, it just changes the dynamic of the squad, which is great,” Walsh said.

“He’s had a big impact right away but there are no guarantees he is going to be picked. There is still a fair bit to go but so far it’s very, very promising.

“(Transitioning from) sevens to 15s is easier than 15s to sevens. But that’s up to me and how I use him. Will I use him as a 14 minute player, playing in every game? No.

“He’s going to have a role. It’s very difficult to be able to do that. Is the timing going to allow him to do that? No. But is the timing allowing him to have an impact that will really benefit us? Yes.”

Kerevi was a key part of the Wallabies’ 2019 World Cup squad and played in several Bledisloe Cup clashes. In his eyes, an Olympic Games appearance is on the same pedestal.

“It’s definitely up there. As a 15s player, it’s pretty rare to have the opportunity to play at the Olympics. You’ve seen a lot of players try to come over before and it’s a really tough gig,” he said.

“Nothing is guaranteed and for me, that was the biggest calling to come. The opportunity to come and test myself among the boys here. There are some great footy players here that have been in the program for years. They’ve built that stature in the game and I just want to come compete.

“I’m here to compete, I’m here to push myself as much as my teammates around me and that will just create competition in the team and push is to be better.”

Kerevi was coy when asked whether he planned to return to Australia when his mammoth contract with Suntory Sungoliath expires at the end of next season.

But he did concede watching his former Queensland Reds teammates rise to the occasion in the Super Rugby AU final had brought on some stirrings of jealousy.

“I felt like they were my little brothers when I was there and them growing to who they are now and the calibre of players they are, I’m so happy to see them in the Wallabies program and making their debuts,” he said.

“For me, I’m just enjoying my time in Japan and all it has to offer for myself. I just love to play rugby and wherever that is, wherever God puts me, I’m really excited just to play.”