Wallabies star Samu Kerevi has revealed his hurt over the shambolic handling of his Spring Tour withdrawal last year and Rugby Australia’s role in it.
Kerevi, speaking on the Rugby Pass podcast this week, also discussed his future after his contract expires in Japan, saying he couldn’t see where he would fit into a Super Rugby team.
Kerevi and Quade Cooper were involved in a bitter club vs. country wrangle last year when they were named for the Spring Tour but then withdrew. Their selection and subsequent withdrawals was a PR disaster for the Wallabies, and one Rugby Australia was responsible for going on Kerevi’s version of events.
Kerevi said he was upset by the notion that he and Cooper “were doing a disservice to the jersey and didn’t want to be in the jersey.
“That was the most hurtful thing. At the time to hear from Rugby Australia that we had no communication, they knew very well.”
Samu Kerevi. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Kerevi said Rugby Australia had been told that he would only be available for The Rugby Championship, which he was called up for after representing the Aussie sevens team at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I was never coming back for Wallabies. I knew I wasn’t available to play Wallabies because of the cap ruling,” Kerevi said.
“Tim Walsh gave me opportunity to come back and represent the country at sevens. So that’s all I had in my mind was sevens.
“And I spoke to the club [Suntory Sungoliath] about it and they were so happy about it that I got to go back and play in the Olympics.
“After the Olympics I was planning to stay in Japan. I was never coming back home. And then I got a call and told the Wallabies wanted to bring me back in the squad. And I was shocked. I had never spoken to anyone before that.”
He said that coming back for The Rugby Championship meant he wet past his agreed leave time from Suntory.
After that series the Australian selectors picked him for the European tour.
“I was always going to go back and they knew that,” Kerevi said. “It was hurtful to say that I didn’t want to be in the jersey. I came back yearning to play for Australian and I had an opportunity at sevens.
“And for people to say I didn’t want to come back hurt. We did come back. We just showed how much we wanted to be there and perform.”
He said Cooper was a “big help” in a stressful time.
“He wasn’t really fazed by it. Whereas I was a bit more disappointed, especially with the Aussie media and the way they write things up.”
Kerevi – who is recovering from a long-term injury suffered at the Commonwealth Games – said he had yet to make a decision on his future.
“I’m not closing off anything. I’m really happy here at Suntory with way team’s going and the lifestyle in Japan but I hear there’s a great lifestyle in France and obviously in the UK.
“I hear boys are getting Mercedes for 200 quid a month, and I’m thinking ‘oh boy there’s some nice lease companies.”
He said he was not “closed off to coming home.”
“The biggest thing about coming home would be where to play,” Kerevi said. “That’s a difficult decision. Every team’s got pretty good centres. Obviously I’d want to come back to the Reds but you’ve got some great centres. Hunter [Paisami’s] already leading the pack.
“I just don’t think there’s any space for me in Rugby Australia in terms of which club to play for. If there was I’d definitely look into it, but at the moment, I’m pretty happy at Suntory.”
He was asked if he’d consider representing his heritage by turning out for Fijian Drua..
“The only thing’s paying the bills at Drua, hey,” he joked.
“It’s something I’ve thought about doing one day. I definitely would love to get back home and just share the experience I’ve had and help with the next generation.”
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Potentially Ferret. I know he’s from Brisbane.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Japan's clubs seem to do the same as the European. They can let go you for for the window as written in the rules or they will be accommodating as you want them to be as long as it is two way. I am sure when he was picked he or the club would have been clear about the free time available. Maybe it was RA trying to push their luck and thought the club would back down. If a player is given rest weeks away from the club in the RC on condition that they are going to be at the club in November no WR enforcement would overide that I don't think.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Only interested if has one of the vinyl roofs.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Pity, in many ways how RA has handled this issue, as it appears they have the same mentality as those in NZR across the ditch. These CEO's & their off siders are showing again & again, their utter contempt towards quite a few in the game. They have shown, in many ways, that they are NOT there for the game, but more so, their own personal gain. IMO, these type need to be drafted out, & how? Overall it's not a good look for the game.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong at all. But saying he ‘doesn’t know how he would fit in’ and ‘they can’t afford me’ are different statements. They are both legitimate, he should feel comfortable enough to just voice it. At his stage in his career he absolutely should be looking to maximise his income.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
"tell him he's dreaming"
Colin Fenwick
Roar Rookie
The research I conducted (mainly via their wikipedia page and/or LinkedIn etc) didn't suggest the tentacles go very deep at all, but you may have more knowledge on the matter. Assuming you're right, what does it matter?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
He'd struggle getting a start with the Landers, Bluffboy, if you've seen the squad we have, & especially those in the midfield.
Highlander
Roar Guru
now you're just being silly :stoked:
Single Malt
Guest
Swap ya a Datsun 1200 SSS
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Or knows his value and is seeking that. In any case, what is wrong with looking for the best deal possible? Michael Hooper, anyone?
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
I think Kerevi is being very kind. No place available for him in Australian SR teams? :laughing: :laughing: It’s ok Kerevi, you don’t have to be kind. You can just say you don’t want to come back here. I for one would totally understand. You got virtually zero development from our sub-standard coaches while playing here in Australia. Heck, you didn’t even learn to pass until you went overseas. so if I was you, I wouldn’t want to come back here either. Enjoy Japan, the money, the Mercedes, go for it. Our SR environment and coaches really don’t deserve someone of your potential, we would only continue to hold you back. As for our sycophantic media, that’s just a symptom of RA’s insecurity. I’m not sure they are at all sorry for the damage they have caused over the years, but I sure am embarrassed by it.
Philip Rosser
Guest
McLennan is the Chair of RA. Castle was CEO...!
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
News Corp tentacles go very deep Colin. They own 100's of companies. Karen Penrose, Phil Waugh, Pip Marlow, Mathew Henning, David Codey, Hamish Mc Lennon all have previous links to News Corp. The previous RA Board much more so. It included several who were current NC employees :stoked:
soapit
Roar Guru
perhaps thats what this has been about all along jez
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Maybe he is actually saying that he would only play for the Reds....
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I have a 77 Torana he could use if he signed for the Reds. Needs a new paint coat and she runs like a dream on Elm street.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Even in these small select snippets, he mentions money directly or indirectly several times. It’s pretty clear at this stage in his career he is chasing money.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Reading the article he never describes how RA knew or any discussions he had with DR. He just says ‘they knew’. I was hoping he would be more specific, like, ‘I spoke to Dave, and we talked about me only being there for the RC, not the tour’. A simple’ “they knew”, leaves way too many holes.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
If you were serious, you’d find an HR.