Samu Kerevi believes his passing game can flourish alongside longtime mate and fellow Queensland centre Chris Feauai-Sautia this Super Rugby season.
The pair started for the Reds but were both restricted in a 21-19 trial loss to the Chiefs at Ballymore on Friday night.
Known for his barging runs, the Wallabies talent boasts a similar game to the fit-again Feauai-Sautia and the pair look set to work in tandem once their campaign begins in New Zealand against the Highlanders on February 22.
But the captain said he had spoken to coach Brad Thorn about expanding his passing game to provide a point of difference and build on a partnership that began when they were children.
“Me and Chris have been playing together since high school, and even before that when we were like eight, nine,” Kerevi said.
“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 inside 10 minutes when two kicks in behind exposed their defence.
But they won the scrum battle and slowly worked into the game, levelling at 14-14 before both sides scored in a more expansive final 20 minutes.
Thorn praised the scrum and their fitness but lamented some soft tries and an inability to convert pressure into points.
Kerevi thinks it will come though and has called for calm with ball in hand after several poor options were taken on Friday night.
“With our attack game flowing we’ve just got to hold onto that pill,” Kerevi said.
The addition of Queensland-raised fullback Bryce Hegarty from NSW Waratahs should help that though, with the 26-year-old bringing much-needed experience in an off-season player swap with Karmichael Hunt.
“He’s a good footballer, we’re very fortunate to have him,” Thorn said.
“Great to have him back, brings that experience to the group, which is needed.
“He’s an impressive young man, shows good leadership qualities … he’ll be seeing a lot of footy for us this year.”
RobC
Roar Guru
Agree Hoy on all points, except on the consistency part. Perhaps I missed some / many things there. Though meantime, I remain a big fan Anyway I hope the Reds deliver the goods. Somehow
Hoy
Roar Guru
Yeah that's the thing for me... looks very dominant at NRC level, but hasn't been consistent at Super level at all I don't think. It isn't so much the team, but I don't know if he has confidence at that level... I think we are seeing the huge fall out from years of terrible coaching... He was picked young to play, had a bit of a rough start, and was put to the side... that may have really played on his mind, and could still be... I see what he CAN offer, but I think Kerevi is a better 12... so 10 would be the obvious place for the skilled 12 option... and I am not sold on Stewart yet at all. It is a shame he is moving on.
RobC
Roar Guru
Hi Hoy. I think he's a level above other Reds backs actually. He's also a successful NRC captain. Fairly consistently too I thought. No? - In NRC hes one of the best of the comp on regular basis over the years - Doesn't stand out in SR as much because... who does with such a haphazard team? - I first noticed him in 2017 playing next to QC, and noticed he played better than Quade in many games I agree he's doesn't see himself as a 10. I think it was caused by the trauma of his debut as Reds 10 when QC was suddenly injured. Hamish? no comparison I'm afraid. I'm still waiting for a spark. But some things take time I suppose. He's the anti thesis of QC, and another reaction to trauma in the Reds. But that's for another article
Hoy
Roar Guru
I don't think he likes playing 10. DP has been good to great at times, but has also gone missing a lot. I wouldn't call his defence ferocious, but he was OK. I think 10 would have been good for him, but if he didn't like the role, it is sad that I don't think he is as good as others at 12, however maybe we need him at 12, if Stewart isn't as creative as we need him to be?
Hoy
Roar Guru
To me it seemed that CFS got too big too quickly and his body couldn't handle it... when he was too heavy, he kept getting injured. When he trimmed down and was fit, he was a weapon. Fast, explosive, good hands, aggressive... but it was few and far between unfortunately.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Huge problem. Lack of good 5/8s in this country is now not only killing our results, but also harming the development of other positions really.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Spot on!
CJ
Guest
I think Kerevi is best suited to the wing, where his passing and defensive limitations are minimized and he can just smash through defenders, which he is excellent at. I recall seeing him play there before and he was very effective. Would put Folau on the other wing and Kerevi at o/c and Quade at 5/8 and Haylett-Petty or KB at FB. I/c is a more difficult proposition. Don't know the answer to that.
Russ
Guest
500 . Drop a zero buddy.
Matt
Guest
Aint gonna happen with a plodder at 10.
riddler
Roar Rookie
only saw the first 1/4 of the 4 quarters game. wasn't pretty at all. hegarty for one seems to have no gas. hunt, of the trio, was the one i didn't want to lose. hope he has a great season for the tahs and makes that wallaby no.12 position his own. scrum was good for those penalties at end of 1/4 but that doesn't materialise in a non-trial game. wasn't what i was expecting let alone hoping for. onwards and upwards. we can still top the conference! ;)
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Certainly Samu is.no playmaker. Not even close ! But it would be a luxury to have someone at 12 who could handle that role.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Who says 12 should be a "play maker"?, it seriously isn't working for us. Was Nonu a play maker? Was Horan a play maker? No neither of them were and yet they were members of world cup winning teams.
Over here
Roar Rookie
true dat, but I would call Him the God of scrummaging, he's forgotten more than most scrum coaches know
jeznez
Roar Guru
I thought Smart Alec was Alec Evans with his doctorate in scrummology.
Over here
Roar Rookie
he's talking about smart Alec (also known as Bernie) Foley, the smart 10 who defends on the wing ;)
mudchooks
Roar Rookie
Hegarty hasn’t been with the squad long, hopefully he can be the organiser that is needed. I’d be interested to see how long Stewart is persisted with, it would be tempting to put Hegarty up to 10 and try other options at full back, either Petaia or DP.
RobC
Roar Guru
One of the best games Reds last year, was with Samu on 12 vs Lions. He had a key role with many/most of the four tries, and it wasnt through crash ball. After that match, esp the next one vs Wolves: - The Reds smothered all forms of diversity - It was grunt, no brains. - Worse still defence lacked speed and accuracy. - These are the basics and rookie coaching issues. This year with Samu at 12, Chris at 13. Its effectively 12 man Rugby. Unless Samu becomes something Hamish is not / still working on. Having Higgers is a plus, but he needs a smart / LFG type person with him. At the end of the day. Its about the coaches / coaching / prep. Not the players for the Reds
RobC
Roar Guru
So yes, I think this is part of where the problem is: – Hamish is not a triple threat and doesnt (yet?) know how to create time/space for his attackers – Mainly, I think its the forwards. – They cant cycle quickly. It again, showed last Friday. I hope they change this. Im am certain if Samu plays for teams like the Tahs or Brums, he would be the punisher! Whilst also expanding his game
RobC
Roar Guru
agree re Duncan. Its too late now. Hes leaving after this season