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'We've been playing together since high school' - Kerevi hoping Reds' centre pairing will flourish
By Online Editors
Samu Kerevi believes his passing game can flourish alongside longtime friend Chris Feauai-Sautia in the Queensland Reds midfield in 2019.
The pair started for the Reds but were kept under wraps in a 21-19 preseason loss to the Chiefs at Ballymore on Friday night.
Kerevi and Feauai-Sautia offer similar styles of play and look set to work in tandem once their regular season campaign kicks off when they meet the Highlanders in New Zealand on February 22.
The Reds captain said he had spoken to head coach Brad Thorn about expanding his passing game in order to build on a partnership that has been forged since he and Feauai-Sautia were kids.
"Me and Chris have been playing together since high school, and even before that when we were like eight, nine," Kerevi told AAP.
"We're pretty confident with each other.
"But 100 per cent; Thorny has spoken to me about that (looking to spread the ball more); it's about adding that to the game and sharing that load."
The Reds trailed 14-0 after less than 10 minutes when two Chiefs kicks exposed their defence.
They still had plenty of positives to take away, particularly at scrum time as they worked to level the scores heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
Thorn spoke kindly of his side's scrummaging efforts but lamented a couple of soft tries and highlighted an inability to convert after heaping pressure on the opposition.
Kerevi has asked for his side to slow things down if options don't present themselves instead of risking possession in trying to force something.
"With our attack game flowing we've just got to hold onto that pill," Kerevi said.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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