Sekope Kepu proud of Wallabies squad diversity
Veteran Sekope Kepu is proud of the increasing diversity of the Wallabies, with around half of Australia's Rugby World Cup squad of Polynesian and Pacific Island heritage.
The senior figure of the group is 33-year-old Kepu, of Tongan descent, who has amassed 105 caps, a record for a Wallabies prop.
When Australia won their first World Cup in 1991, the team included Tongan-born powerhouse Willie Ofahengaue.
Eight years later, the triumphant 1999 Wallabies side included another explosive backrower of Tongan heritage in Toutai Kefu.
But Ofahengaue and Kefu were the only Polynesians in their respective starting XVs.
The proportion of Polynesian and Pacific Islanders in Australia's World Cup squads has increased substantially at more recent tournaments, with around a quarter of the 2011 party fitting into that category and about one third in 2015.
The fathers of Kepu's fellow 2019 World Cup Wallabies front rowers Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa were both part of the group which represented Samoa at the 1991 tournament.
"They migrated to Australia and played club rugby here and must be very proud parents to see how their sons represent Australia and now go to a World Cup," Kepu told AAP.
"That's always a father's dream. That would be very nice for me to have one of my boys do that.
"There is that Polynesian movement back in those days. Now you are seeing more and more come through the ranks
"It's great diversity, There's no better country than Australia, harvesting all the different cultures and all the ethnicities that travel to Australia for a better life."
Kepu will move to England to play for London Irish after appearing at his third World Cup, which looms as his international swan song.
"I think this will be my last crack at and I am definitely going to make the most of the rest of the season in the Wallabies jersey and environment," he said.
- AAP
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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