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Kerevi set for Wallabies re-call against All Blacks
By AAP
Samu Kerevi will start for the Wallabies on Sunday, two years after his last appearance and a move to Japan he feared would end his Test career.
The explosive tackle-buster will be named at inside centre against New Zealand in Perth, replacing Hunter Paisami who returned home for the birth of his child.
Former Queensland Reds captain Kerevi left Australian rugby in 2019 for a lucrative three-year deal with Japan's Suntory Sungoliath.
He's back in the Wallabies fold now thanks to a relaxation of the Giteau Law, the veteran of 33 Tests one of two overseas-based players allowed despite not meeting the 60-cap qualification.
It continues a busy off-season for the 27-year-old, who was a last-minute addition to Australia's Olympic rugby sevens outfit.
He was arguably the side's best player in Tokyo, reuniting with the Wallabies as soon as he exited quarantine on his return to Australia.
Kerevi has since done enough to earn a start under coach Dave Rennie for his first 15-a-side game since late May, Australia coming off back-to-back losses to the All Blacks in Auckland last month.
Former Reds lock Izack Rodda, who left for a season in France but will play for the Western Force next season, is eyeing his first Test since the 2019 World Cup.
The lock is likely to come into the 23 for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who also left camp to welcome a child, while Quade Cooper has been floated for a sensational return after four years in the international wilderness.
Cooper has placed selection pressure on 21-year-old five-eighth Noah Lolesio, who has worn the No.10 this year with fellow playmaker James O'Connor battling injury.
The Rugby Championship will move to Queensland after Sunday's clash, with double headers on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Gold Coast again also featuring South Africa and Argentina.
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Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
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