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Why playing the All Blacks isn’t ‘the biggest thing’ Samu Kerevi looks forward to
The drawcard of potentially playing against the All Blacks isn’t the main motivator for Samu Kerevi as the Wallaby looks to return to Bledisloe Cup action for the first time in almost 700 days.
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Kerevi hasn’t faced the All Blacks’ haka or charged into a sea of black jerseys in Test rugby since a Rugby Championship clash between the trans-Tasman rivals in September 2021.
The 29-year-old suffered a cruel injury blow while on sevens duty at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and was sidelined for quite some time.
But Kerevi returned to the Test arena off the bench against South Africa in Pretoria earlier this month, and started against Los Pumas in Sydney. The midfielder showed glimpses of promise during those two Tests.
But a significant challenge awaits.
After a “long layoff,” Kerevi could potentially come up against the All Blacks in this weekend’s opening Bledisloe Cup clash at the MCG. The teams will officially be announced on Thursday.
Pending selection, the Wallaby could line up opposite the All Blacks’ star-studded midfield duo of “world-class” utility Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane.
It’s a tough challenge, but as Kerevi explained, playing the All Blacks isn’t “the biggest thing I look forward to.”
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“Nah, for me it’s an internal drive,” Kerevi told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “I want to be the best in the world just for me so I can contribute the best I can to the team.
“You look across the board at Test matches, they’re all tough now. You want to look forward to the World Cup – each pool has some teams there that you can’t take lightly, you can’t take anyone lightly.
“The All Blacks have been playing some great footy and I think the rivalry of the Bledisloe is what you look forward to but Argentina was a big matchup as well as South Africa. This weekend will be no different.
“There’s importance on every Test but I guess there is that element of the Bledisloe and that rivalry across the ditch, which always excites the boys.
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“But for me personally, my work-on is just every day, that’s the real battle. Saturday’s one day of the week or one day of the year I play the All Blacks or two, whatever it is.
“My battle every day is probably the biggest thing I look forward to.”
When Kerevi came off the bench against the Springboks, the Test was practically lost – with just under 30 minutes to play, the hosts led by 17.
The world champions showed their class during a dominant win in front of their home fans.
Looking to bounce back after returning home to Australia, the Wallabies lost a thriller against Los Pumas at CommBank Stadium. The Test was decided by a 79th-minute try to backrower Juan Martin Gonzalez.
The Wallabies have started their new era under coach Eddie Jones with an 0-2 record, but they’ll be eager to turn their fortunes around against their fierce rivals on Saturday.
“Obviously we weren’t happy with the results but Eddie being Eddie, I think the intensity was always going to lift leading into the next Test matches but especially the Bledisloe,” Kerevi said.
“It’s not just because of the Bledisloe but as a team we needed to lift the intensity at training and create some great habits leading into these next two games.
“Especially this game in front of our home fans, it’ll be the last opportunity we get (before the World Cup).”
The Wallabies host the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening in the first of two Bledisloe Cup Test matches.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
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