Rugby Confidential: Samu Kerevi set to ditch Queensland Reds
WALLABIES centre Samu Kerevi is considering a sensational switch from the Queensland Reds next season.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SAMU Kerevi is considering a sensational switch to the Brumbies.
The Wallabies centre, who has acted as captain of the Queensland Reds on occasions this year, is deep in talks with the ACT side.
It’s understood Kerevi, who will command a big salary, wants to leave Brisbane.
CHEIKA: TEST PLACES UP FOR GRABS IN TRIALS
The Rebels have recently signed Matt Toomua, and with Reece Hodge to play at outside centre from here on, there is little room for Kerevi in Melbourne.
But the Brumbies have lost Kyle Godwin, and Kerevi could form a devastating centre combination with good friend Tevita Kuridrani.
The Brumbies said they would not comment on player negotiations.
Kerevi’s mooted defection would be another blow for the embattled Reds, after revelations boom rookie Izaia Perese had agreed to terms to switch to NRL club Brisbane from 2020.
Kerevi joined the Reds in 2014 and has become an integral part of the Wallabies, starting at outside centre in the June series against Ireland before rupturing his bicep and being ruled out for the rest of the year.
CHEIKA CHANGES TUNE
THE mind games are already well under way with the Bledisloe Cup still over a fortnight away. A week ago, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he was considering moving Israel Folau to outside centre for the series opener, but now says he was always planning to keep him in his regular spot.
“I think I’ve been pretty clear that I like his role at fullback,” Cheika said.
COACH HAPPY FOR SLIPPER
NOBODY is more pleased to see James Slipper playing on Friday night than Cheika, who stuck by the former Wallabies prop while he was serving a two-month ban after testing positive to cocaine.
Slipper, who has battled depression for some time, was picked to play for the Australian Super Selection in the Bledisloe Cup trial at Leichhardt Oval. While Slipper was struggling in rehab, Cheika kept in contact and was genuinely thrilled he was picked.
“He’s been a huge contributor to rugby in Australia and to the Reds, and he’s a good guy as well,” Cheika said. “Everyone trips over every now and then. I challenge anyone that hasn’t tripped because I’m keen to meet them if they haven’t done that, and he’s got back up now so now he’s going to make every post a winner.”
CRUCIAL APPOINTMENT
RUPA president and Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick says it’s vital the replacement for outgoing chief executive Ross Xenos does not create a public war with Rugby Australia over the next collective bargaining deal.
In recent times, the players’ representative bodies of cricket, football and rugby league have been involved in ugly public stoushes with their respective sports when negotiating new deals.
RUPA is involved in talks with Rugby Australia about the new employment terms for players through to 2020, but that will have to be led by a new CEO after Xenos quit the role to become Melbourne Rebels’ commercial general manager.
“It’s going to be really telling as we take up the challenge in working towards the 2020 CBA negotiations, we know that rugby in the southern hemisphere sits in a precarious area,” Fitzpatrick said.
“For the next CEO, we’re here to find a way to promote the game, we never want to get two sides of a war on, we want to work with the bodies to make sure we’re growing the passion for the game in the grassroots.
“I’d love to know somebody who has got Ross’s expertise on constitutional matters.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. We’ve seen the challenges in the past while; the Western Force being moved from Super Rugby was his biggest challenge, but we’re also looking after players in the sevens program and Ross has been a big advocate of getting the Super W players into the landscape somewhere.”
CHIPPY LANDS DREAM JOB
JACK Frampton, the five-eighth and full-time carpenter lining up against Quade Cooper in the Queensland Premier Rugby semi-final on Saturday, had an interesting revelation for our Brisbane correspondent Jim Tucker.
“I used to pay 30 bucks to watch Quade play for the Reds because I’ve always looked up to him for that crazy footwork and throwing the unexpected at teams,” Frampton said.
Frampton will lead Easts against Souths at Ballymore.
CUP CLASH
FOR the first time, Saturday’s Shute Shield match between Randwick and Sydney University will be contested for the newly created Poidevin-Farr-Jones Cup.
“You look at how many players have played for the Wallabies from both clubs, it’s quite a remarkable number,” Simon Poidevin said. “Nick was picked from second division to play for the Wallabies and so was I. We had very similar career paths in that aspect.”
Nick Farr-Jones said of Poidevin: “There was one guy, well two including Willie O, who when you saw him in your changing room before you get that knock on the door to go out and strut your stuff, you were just extremely thankful he was in your colours.”
SONNY HITS THE BOOKS
NOW that he’s been ruled out of the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests, Sonny Bill Williams will have more time to spend on his management degree.
The All Blacks star has started a Bachelor of Applied Management degree from Otago Polytechnic, alongside a number of Blues teammates, and hopes to graduate next April.
HELPING HAND FOR FARMERS
DROUGHT-stricken farmers will be given a helping hand by Rugby Australia, who will send around collection buckets at Leichhardt Oval during Friday’s trial to raise funds.
“We are really keen to help Australia’s farmers in any way possible as well as help support our rugby clubs in the bush,” Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle said.
“We know that rugby clubs are the heart of many farming communities so we want do all we can to make sure we’re helping them in this really challenging time.”
Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby Foundation will match the total donation dollar-for-dollar.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
WHEN publishing houses rejected a book about the 1963 Wallabies tour of South Africa, team members reached into their own pockets to pay for it. The book, written by former Wallaby and Fairfax journalist Mike Jenkinson is called A Dangerous Breed.
It can be purchased through Jenkinson’s email, mjenk40@bigpond.net.au for $40.
Originally published as Rugby Confidential: Samu Kerevi set to ditch Queensland Reds
First grade club rugby’s team of the week; key players so far
Revealed: The Hospital Cup Rd 8 Team of the Week, plus all nine club’s best player so far this season. Read your first grade club rugby scoop here.
Why ‘bittersweet’ move could secure Shute Shield club’s future
A planning meeting on Monday shapes as a crucial moment in the history of one of the Shute Shield’s most successful clubs, as Eastwood looks to a brighter future. This is why.