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What former Wallabies star Samu Kerevi will bring to the Australian sevens team
By AAP
Samu Kerevi's decorated career for Australia and Queensland makes him a potential X-factor player for the men's rugby sevens team in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old has returned from a season in Japan's Top League with Suntory Sungoliath to find himself in the hunt to win Olympic gold with the men's Sevens side.
An end to the domestic season in Japan saw the rampaging outside back looking for a return trip to Tokyo as the Australian men's and women's sides face Fiji and New Zealand in the Oceania Sevens this weekend.
Kerevi's blistering power in 15-a-side rugby was the catalyst for heavy interest from men's sevens coach Tim Walsh.
"There's no question, he was probably one of the world's best players at Test match level, those couple years ago, so you know he's a class player," Walsh said.
"He certainly fitted into the group straight away and he's always willing to learn, and all through COVID he was watching videos of sevens ... he really wanted to hit the ground running.
"It's sort of my job to find out what he can offer, which I think we know what it is but then, make sure it's the right thing for the team and he's doing everything he can to be able to offer that and put himself in the best position for selection."
For Kerevi, the dream of playing Sevens has been on his mind for some years.
He admits COVID-19's timing and moving away from the Australian scene was a difficult pill to swallow, but is grateful for the opportunity to represent his country again.
"It's always been on the cards and I think the timing of everything would just be the issue, but this time, everything just fell in line, and I'm just grateful to be part of the Sevens squad," he said.
"It's still special to represent Australia, I think it's still special to represent a whole nation of people just in a different format.
"I always cherish the jersey, I'll always be grateful for the opportunity. So, if do get to put it on you know I'll give it my all."
- Fraser Barton
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It took a whole season to wash the Foster stink out to be fair. There's still been substantial change though. I think only 7 starters from the RWC QF v IRE started the IRE test in Dublin. This year wasn't the year for full innovation, transition needs to be balanced, & incremental. The new coaches will be able to stamp their full mark on the ABs from 2025 when Razor will select his first proper squad from a mega talented player pool. Exciting times ahead.
Go to commentsWhat on earth is Tele'a doing passing the ball away so quickly on his line break, like a fatty making a bust and trying to find a winger to give the ball to lol
The amount of inconsistency with the head contact law coming into the game. No red yesterday and no yellow today, but then another player gets a suspension for a side on headonhead (as apposed to these two sweet shoulders) contact last week. Happy if there is a referee change to having a bit more commensense.
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