Samu Kerevi commits to Queensland reds until 2018

Queensland Reds secure an important signature with the outside centre recommitting until the end of 2018.

Samu Kerevi has recommitted to the Queensland Reds until the end of 2018.

The Queensland Reds have secured arguably their most important signature with outside centre Samu Kerevi recommitting to the side through to the end of 2018.

The Reds are expected to have a world-class pack next season, with Steve Moore and Kane Douglas to boost an eight that already has dominated most teams in Super Rugby, but what they really need to explosive, line-breaking backs. And that very much describes Kerevi.

He has been in career-best form this season and still is rated among the top five in the competition for metres gained (120) and defenders beaten (35), even though he has missed the last two games because of a broken thumb.

The Reds have almost completed their 2017 list but they are still to grab a playmaker and more and more it is looking like Quade Cooper will be headed back to Ballymore from Toulon where he barely looks to have made an impact.

Michael Cheika has spoken often about using uncapped Kerevi in the centres in the Test series against England and is not opposed to the idea of even playing him in the 12 jersey — the position that former Wallabies coach John Connolly wanted him to play for the Reds — with Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.

“I want to build something here at the Reds and I believe in this young group and the coaching staff we have,” said Kerevi. “I believe we can grow into the team we want to be.

“I’m really enjoying my time at Ballymore. It’s been a tough season, but we’ve showed glimpses of what we’re capable of and we’re only going to get better.

“I grew up watching Queensland and wanting to play for them, so I feel blessed to have that opportunity and I’m excited to be here for another two years.”