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How Samu Kerevi rates Wales as Wallabies World Cup hangs in balance
By PA
Samu Kerevi says Australia must put outside pressures to one side when they scrap for Rugby World Cup survival on Sunday.
The Wallabies have to beat Wales in Lyon or their hopes of avoiding a first pool-stage exit in World Cup history will effectively be over.
A 22-15 defeat to Fiji in Pool C last weekend means they can afford no further losses.
Even even if they defeat Wales for a sixth time in eight World Cup meetings – and then see off final opponents Portugal – it still might not be enough to progress.
“The pressure comes from within this week, and the pressure from outside we have to put aside,” Wallabies centre Kerevi said.
“Wales will still be pretty physical. They have one of the great world-class 10s (Dan Biggar) and a great forward pack.
“They are a tough team, they grind it out for the whole 80 minutes. You saw that against Fiji where they took a great lead and Fiji came back, but they stayed in it.
“We understand the toughness about Wales. They are a team that have been together for quite a while and have that experience.
“We need to bring that intensity early in the game, and we can’t wait for the game to come. We have to take it to them and apply pressure.
“Fiji were outstanding (against Australia), their back-line outplayed us and full credit to them.”
Kerevi was yellow-carded when Australia played Wales at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Wales won a thrilling encounter 29-25 in Tokyo, which propelled them towards topping the group. Australia, as runners-up, also qualified for the knockout phase.
“It’s all a blur now,” he added. “We didn’t play to our full potential and there were a few little incidents that were bizarre to me.
“This is another important game, and it’s always an important game against Wales. No game is guaranteed, and it’s a really exciting challenge to turn the tide on what happened last time.”
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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