Wallabies forgive and forget Israel Folau

With the white noise surrounding the Israel Folau saga dimming to a low buzz, the Wallabies have finally shifted their focus to the ultimate goal.

Samu Kerevi in the Wallabies’ World Cup kit. Picture: Brett Costello

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“It’s time to move forward”.

That is the key message from Wallabies star Samu Kerevi in the wake of the sacking of Israel Folau, one of his closest friends.

Just 113 days before the 2019 World Cup kicks off in Japan, the Wallabies know they will be missing their greatest attacking weapon in Folau, and could also be without their most dangerous defensive man David Pocock, who is battling injury.

On Folau, whose contract was terminated by Rugby Australia due to social media posts deemed homophobic, Kerevi said the Pacific Island players within the Wallabies had addressed their emotions on the topic and are now firmly fixed on winning the World Cup.

“We’ve just got to stay focused on the goal we do have, we’ve already sat down and spoken about how we all felt about the whole situation, and for us it’s time to move forward,” Kerevi told Rugby Central.

Samu Kerevi in the Wallabies’ World Cup kit. Picture: Brett Costello

“We all still love Izzy and care about Izzy, I still stay in contact with him, it’s the first of its kind the whole situation, but we’ve got to move forward and start focusing on the goal we do have.

“It’s going to be different, but I’m backing the guys in the squad.

“You can’t replace an Izzy Folau, he’s an amazing player, a three-time John Eales medallist, first of its kind.

“Hopefully we string a couple of games together really well with the squad that we do have.

“Like I said you can’t replace Izzy Folau but I back the next guy to fill that role, whoever it is, and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says Folau’s absence now creates an opportunity for other contenders to wear the No. 15 jersey in Japan, led by Dane Haylett-Petty, Kurtley Beale and Tom Banks.

The Wallabies’ indigenous World Cup jersey.

And while Pocock has been forced to retire from Super Rugby due to ongoing complications from a calf injury suffered in January, Hooper is confident the powerful pilferer will be by his side in September.

“One thing about Dave, aside from his calf, he keeps himself in amazing condition — and that’s hard to do when one of the main things to run with isn’t functioning,” Hooper said at a launch function in Sydney, where the Wallabies unveiled their 2019 World Cup jersey, made by ASICS.

“We saw last year from being out for a while and then how he comes back in and can just pull together some amazing performance from not much rugby.

“His skill set is such quality and he’s so defined in what he does on the field, he’s able to come in and make an immediate impact.

“So I’m betting he’ll be there.”

Samu Kerevi says the Wallabies still love Israel Folau. Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Rugby AU Media

With Folau gone, much of the game-breaking responsibilities for Australia will be left to Kerevi, who leads all Australian players for run metres, line breaks and tackle breaks in Super Rugby this season.

It has been suggested that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika can’t pick Kerevi and fellow Fijian-born bulldozer Tevita Kuridrani as a starting centre combination because they’re too similar.

But Kerevi rejected that assumption.

“We are similar in some ways but different in others, he brings something different to the game,” Kerevi said.

“People, when they look from the outside, think that just because we run the ball well it means we can’t do anything else, but we’ve been working on those skills like passing, kicking.

“So that’s the exciting bit for us, the unknown. No one expects us to do well, but if we get picked together we know it will work.”

In the 2015 World Cup final against Australia, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen made the shock call to bring Sonny Bill Williams on at the start of the second half to partner fellow giant Ma’a Nonu and they won the trophy.

Kerevi anticipates a robust duel in Australia’s opening World Cup game against Fiji on September 21, with former NRL star Semi Radradra and barnstorming winger Josua Tuisova sure to be starting.

“You see Radradra, you see Tuisova, they’re playing some awesome footy so it’s going to be interesting,” Kerevi said.

“They’re great footy players, you see the way they’re going and you know you have to sharpen up your shoulders.”

Those shoulders will be in one of the most technologically advanced jerseys worn at the tournament.

After four years of research, the ASICS team produced a jumper that has anti-grab stretch material, grip on the front to help hold the ball on the chest, and a lighter fabric than that of previous seasons.

Originally published as Wallabies forgive and forget Israel Folau