Rugby Confidential: RA reveals Kerevi’s contract offer was ‘very, very good’

Director of Rugby Scott Johnson says Australia did everything to keep Japan-bound Samu Kerevi, race Larkham’s replacement heats up and SBW’s All Blacks audition - it’s all in rugby’s best gossip column.

Samu Kerevi will head to Japan after the World Cup. Picture: Getty

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Stephen Larkham’s long-awaited replacement as Wallabies’ attack coach will be announced next week.

Australia’s new Director of Rugby Scott Johnson has been keeping mum on who will get the job after all the usual suspects being touted, including Waratahs’ coach Daryl Gibson.

“We’ve been looking at the candidates,” Johnson said. “Some are internal and some have got other jobs to do so there will be an announcement imminently.”

KEREVI TURNED DOWN CASH

Johnson has strongly rejected the suggestion that Rugby Australia let Samu Kerevi slip through their hands, insisting no effort was spared to stop the Queensland captain from being lured overseas after the World Cup.

In the peak of his career at just 25, Kerevi will not be considered for Wallabies selection after this year because he has only 25 Tests, and players need to have earned at least 60 caps to qualify under the Giteau Law.

Samu Kerevi will head to Japan after the World Cup. Picture: Getty

But Johnson said Kerevi’s decision to leave was not through any lack of trying to keep him here.

“Let’s get it straight, the offer was good,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen the offer that Samu was given and it was a very, very good offer that would have put him in the higher echelons of our country.”

SONNY’S ABS AUDITION

New Zealand’s dual World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams is making his long awaited return to Super Rugby this weekend in a bid to prove his fitness for the World Cup.

Despite being a favourite of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, the former NRL star has got his work cut out forcing himself into All Black contention.

The 33-year-old has missed 10 matches this season so Blues coach Leon MacDonald has recalled him to the side to give him at shot at impressing the selectors.

SBW is back for the Blues. Picture: Getty

CASTLE CALLS AUS HOME

Another Kiwi, closer to home, revealed this week she has officially taken out Australian citizenship this week.

Although she was born in Wagga Wagga, Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle was raised in New Zealand so didn’t automatically get her Australian citizenship.

But she has now and proudly tweeted the news: “Born here! Now a citizen. Legit Aussie.....”

BABY WALLABIES FUMING

The Junior Wallabies were not impressed by the sending off No.8 Pat Tafa in Thursday morning’s 56-33 loss to England at the U20 world championships in Argentina.

Tafa was shown the red card for a tackle that was deemed dangerous but Australian officials reckon the whistleblower got it wrong so are planning to fight the charge when Tafa faces the judiciary.

The loss was Australia’s first at the tournament but doesn’t matter a thing as they were already through to the semi-finals against the host nation, but they want Tafa available.

The Junior Wallabies were fuming after their loss to England. Picture: RugbyAU Media/Stuart Walmsley

A GOOD CAUSE FOR ALEX

A special gala dinner is being held at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency to raise money for teenager Alex Noble, who broke his neck and damaged his spinal column last year.

Proceeds from Friday’s inaugural A Noble Event will help Alex and his family but organisers Macquarie Telecom are already planning to stage annual dinners to raise funds for other families and cause in need of support.

Originally published as Rugby Confidential: RA reveals Kerevi’s contract offer was ‘very, very good’