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'I am being serious' - Samu Kerevi pressed about comments on switch to rugby league

Samu Kerevi. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Wallabies star Samu Kerevi has doubled down on the prospect of switching to rugby league and taken another swipe at World Rugby’s contentious head high tackle framework.

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The Australian vice captain fronted journalists for a second time on the issue after Sunday’s Rugby World Cup pool loss to Wales in Tokyo.

Despite their struggles in the 29-25 defeat, most of the fallout has centred on Kerevi’s bump-off of upright Wales defender Rhys Patchell which resulted in a penalty after a long consultation between match officials.

The ruling was roundly slammed by the Wallabies and numerous commentators.

Powerhouse midfielder Kerevi spoke post-match about considering a code switch to rugby league when he completes his looming club contract in Japan.

Continue reading below…

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He clarified it wasn’t completely tongue in cheek.

“I was just saying that as a little joke but I am being serious at the same time,” the 26-year-old said.

“That’s why I was talking about rugby league, if you watch rugby league there are some collisions that are just nice.

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“I just don’t want our sport to be soft.

“I respect the ref’s decision, I understand the call but it’s a tough one.

“I have been running like that for my entire career, I don’t know what else I can do.”

Kerevi agreed players should have had more involvement in the development of the framework, which was World Rugby’s solution to bring consistency to the sanctioning of high tackles.

Instead it has caused confusion, something that could have been avoided if players had been consulted on the potential pitfalls of a black and white system in a dynamic sport, he said.

“At the end of the day you’ve got to understand from a player’s point of view,” he said.

“In those milliseconds I’ve got to move my arm from just running to tucking it down.

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“What do I do if I don’t have my arms up? Is his shoulder going to go into my head? How am I to keep myself safe?

“I might as well avoid the contact altogether and that’s just not my game. I’m looking for it every day.”

AAP

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R
RedWarriors 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus wades into heated debate over Jaden Hendrikse antics

Look son: putting up barriers that could hit your GDP by 4% negative is dumb. You supported that? You are dumb. Or rich enough so that your ideological brain farts are borne by the poor…in other words a w@nker.


Triggering a 2 year countdown at the end of which the UK economy would fall off a cliff is also extremely stupid. It is beyond idiotic to start a negotiation like that and give your opponents such a slam dunk. But this is exactly what Brexiteers (you presumably) screeched for. You were always going to lose, but once you did that you were going to lose very badly. Nothing to do with traitors and saboteurs and whatever phrases a f1lthy n@zi like you will concoct. Everything to do with incompetence. You’r chief negotiator said “We hold all the cards”. You couldn’t leave with no deal because that would be the end of your economy. The EU would have let you shoot yourselves on the head. Ireland wouldn’t have been able to help you there son. Would you recommend triggering article 50 if you had your time back Doc? Are you still that f**king dumb?


The 142 competences created by the GFA required regulatory harmony to fulfill their functions. Therefore a soft border is implicit in the GFA. All parties acknowledge this. You lost. Move on.


Again the official UK Brexit negotiators are well known and all Brexiteers. As a Doctor like yourself will know your ‘saboteur’ conspiracy theory unless you can substantiate it.

Are you sure you are a doctor? (Dipsh1t)


I refer you to the below to examine what cards the UK in effect held:


You’re a latent homosexual right?


The EU and Ireland look at their cards and lay down a royal flush. The UK looks at their cards and gulps…It’s Mr Bun the Baker, Pikachu, a Shadowmage, a fireball spell, and the Fool. 

#UkHoldAllThe Cards #SickManOfEurope

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