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'He's very mad': Kerevi lifts the lid on McMahon's Wallabies return
There is now a reminder in ink for those who need it.
But Samu Kerevi says the Wallabies have got the message loud and clear ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against Argentina.
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“ETW” is inscribed on the body of returning back rower Sean McMahon in a nod to his “earn the weekend” mentality.
He is pushing for a berth against Los Pumas in Townsville alongside Kerevi, the Japan-based pair beneficiaries of Rugby Australia’s relaxing of the Giteau Law.
“Oh he’s very mad,” Kerevi told Big Sports Breakfast of the highly-competitive McMahon.
“He has a saying ‘ETW’, has it tattooed … he understands the amount of work that has to be put to earn a couple of orange juices at the end of the week.
“He doesn’t care what jersey he has on or who you are.
“He’s kind of like a raging bull; awesome to have on the team, but you’d never want to play against him.”
McMahon last played for Australia in 2017 and has watched as part of the extended squad for the last fortnight as the side twice dismantled world champions South Africa.
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Their first back-to-back wins since 2019 pushed them from seventh to third in the world.
But with consecutive tests against Argentina followed by a European spring tour that includes a clash with Japan, the Wallabies aren’t getting complacent.
“Two good performances doesn’t make up for a couple of years of bad ones,” Wallabies halfback Nic White said.
Wallabies star Marika Koroibete has been labelled “the best winger in the world” following his efforts against the Springboks last weekend. #Wallabies https://t.co/u9RjL1CViJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 22, 2021
“A lot of hard work went into those two (wins), but if we think that’s going to set up another win we’re dreaming.
“There’s no short memories … we did have two draws last year (against Argentina) … we’re going to have to be at our best.”
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A win on Saturday would be the side’s first three-game run since they won four in a row as part of a seven-game unbeaten stretch in 2017.
That was also the last time five-eighth Quade Cooper was marshalling the side, the No 10’s shock recall this month proving a masterstroke from coach Dave Rennie.
Kerevi said Cooper’s matured approach alongside 100-plus test veterans Michael Hooper and James Slipper was permeating through an otherwise youthful squad.
“A guy like Quade, who’s played over 70 tests, has had had a lot of growth in that area and for him it’s about staying at that same arousal level,” Kerevi said.
“It is that mental battle; (whether) winning or losing … playing at that mid level, understand we’re not trying to fire up for a ‘big’ game and not for a ‘small’ game.
“We have to come with the same preparation.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments