Samu Kerevi says he is starting to feel at home as a Test player and wants to “create history” alongside a sudden influx of Fijian-born Wallabies.
Powerhouse centre Kerevi crossed for his first try in what was easily his best performance yet for Australia in their win over Argentina in Perth two weeks ago.
He will make his sixth Wallabies appearance in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld (Sunday morning AEST).
The 23-year-old endured a difficult start to international rugby, playing at inside centre in a structurally ineffective Australian side during the three-Test whitewash against England in June.
However, his form has picked up immensely since moving to No.13 last month, shunting good mate Tevita Kuridrani to the bench as a result.
“Every week they just tell me to stick to my strengths, I don’t have to do anything special,” Kerevi told AAP.
“I think just doing what I usually do will create something special, hopefully.
“Now I’m just feeling a bit more like home. I’m starting to express myself a bit more in the way I play, I’m just enjoying it.
“It’s all transferring onto the field.”
Kerevi said his experience at inside centre, his old position at the Queensland Reds and where Bernard Foley now plays for the Wallabies, helped him learn more about what’s required at outside centre.
“I know the pressure and amount of chat that has to come from myself at 13 to help him and help the 10. I’m understanding more, Test level is definitely a different level and a step up,” he said.
With Sefa Naivalu likely to make his Test debut off the bench in Pretoria, Kuridrani also among the reserves, Henry Speight in the current touring squad and Marika Koroibete to join the Wallabies for their Spring Tour, there is now a distinct Fijian flavour to the Australian side.
“If we just had a 10 then we’d complete the whole backline, but not a lot of Fijians can play 10,” Kerevi joked.
“Obviously, we push ourselves, the Fijian boys, we want to create that history playing all together.
“Our families back home in Fiji are proud of us. We kind of represent both countries.
“Cheik spoke about that in our first couple of meetings – that’s where home is and where we are now, we’re a collective group, we come from all different parts of the world.”
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