Injured Wallaby Samu Kerevi has quashed rumours of a move to the Brumbies, today announcing one-year contract extensions with both Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union.
While the 24-year-old is expected to miss the vast majority of the Rugby Championship following a torn bicep suffered in the Test series with Ireland, the highly touted centre has clearly been in Michael Cheika’s good books and will likely slot right back into the side once the Spring tour begins.
In a press release, Kerevi said he was “excited” to stay in Queensland for “one more year”, citing his family as one of the main factors in his decision to remain up north.
“The young boys coming through the club is what keeps me at the Reds,” he said.
“I see the potential – not long ago I was in their shoes so to have one more year with them will be special.
“The World Cup is next year and that’s pretty special for any Rugby player. It’s the biggest stage in World Rugby and that was another driver for me.
“First thing is first and that’s getting back to fitness and playing well for my club and hopefully being picked to represent Australia through the year and into the World Cup.
“Right now my goal is to hopefully make the back-end of the NRC, or even the Club Sevens Series but that all depends on how my rehab goes,” he added.
Queensland coach Brad Thorn was similarly pleased with Kerevi’s decision to re-sign, saying he had “developed into a leader” and was “highly respected” within the squad.
“Samu has made a home for himself here at Ballymore and has developed through the Queensland Pathway into the player he is today.
“He continues to work hard on his game and I am excited for what the future holds for him at the Queensland Reds,” he said.
The Fijian-born backman has made 58 appearances for the Reds since making his debut in 2014 – scoring 21 tries – while also playing 19 matches for Brisbane City in the NRC over that period. His form at the NRC level has been particularly monstrous, racking up 60 points.
He became an Australian citizen in 2016 and made his Wallabies debut that same year. In 21 Tests for Australia, Kerevi has crossed the line five times.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yes, let's keep bringing up a single match from 1.5 years ago when he was returned too quickly from injury, was clearly underdone, and in which the team as a whole couldn't defend, where he was defending outside of 10. Foley, 11. Speight, 12. Beale, 14. DHP.
Redsfan1
Guest
Have you watched Kerevi's attempt at 'defending' against the All Blacks? Then start using the word 'silly'.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Never said he will...
Boomeranga
Guest
PAE has won caps with Samoa so he is no longer eligible for Aus.
Jockstrap
Roar Rookie
Bs. He will never reach Nonu heights.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Kerevi played against all those, and I remember he made Nonu look pretty silly a few times in Super rugby. Kerevi has a very high ceiling, but I doubt we have the coaches to get him there...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I picked 2006 because that's when Nonu was 24, the same age Kerevi is now. No point judging where Nonu got to against where Kerevi is starting. You're delusional if you think Nonu was better as a rookie. Any objective fan will tell you how criticized he was for his play, especially his handling.
waxhead
Guest
Not sure why you picked 2006 but........ I watched Nonu from his 1st game for the Canes. Even as a rookie he was better than Kerevi will ever be imo.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Don't see your point waxhead
Sam
Guest
Lots of youngsters went around 2015 and will probably come back for RWC2019. Luke Jones is apparently being released by Bordeaux for 2019. I think this is the beginning of a cycle where players will seek an offshore contract for 2-3 years immediately post world cup, sign on the dotted line for a Super Rugby contract for a world cup year and then as they say "rinse and repeat". I'm hoping Paul Alo-Emile and Sean McMahon do the same.
Stu
Roar Rookie
How do you know?!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? Kerevi is already a better player than Nonu was at the same age. What did people think of Nonu in 2006?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Right on Rhys, Every article on rugby does not have to be about how great NZ is.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
So what, the story is about Kerevi re-signing with the Reds, not some sort of trans Tasman peeing contest.
waxhead
Guest
Kerevi is a good Red's signing and he is improving as a player but.........let's be realistic...... He'll never be in the Ma'a Nonu class or...... even as great as Fekitoa, Crotty , Lienart-Brown, Laumape, Goodhue or SB Williams. So NZ currently has at least 6 better midfielders than Kerevi will ever be.
Milan
Guest
RW where are Parese and Petai heading?
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Yeah not a good sign, someone else, I think Timu, recently resigned for only one year too. Whether that’s a reflection on QRU, Thorn or ARU it’s hard to say, but none of those answers is a good one.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
He might be waiting to see if the Reds can snag a decent coach before he decides to stay any longer. .......
Redsfan1
Guest
All the Reds re-signings are of very average players who are proven failures at super rugby level.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
It will be a long time, the Reds have been bad so to try and turn things around they re-sign the same players that made them bad. Kerevi is the best signing so far but many players have recently re-signed that wont improve anything. CFS has recently signed, we have seen his best and it was not good enough, we need a recruitment team that looks abroad, or at least at the 30 man Rebels bench and try to recruit players better than what we already have. The Reds should be able to conduct this search, afterall they have recently had world wide searches for head coaches, surely they made contacts they can use. lol