Experienced Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi is reportedly set for a sensational switch to sevens in search of a place in Australia’s squad for the Olympic Games.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Kerevi, who left Australia after the 2019 World Cup for a lucrative contract with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, has kept in contact with Australia sevens coach Tim Walsh.
Following Suntory’s loss to the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Top League final, Kerevi has returned to Sydney with the intent of making it into Australia’s sevens team.
The report states that once Kerevi has quarantined, he will link up with the squad training at Moore Park.
However, Walsh told the Herald that there is ‘no guarantee’ Kerevi will make the final cut. It will be interesting to see how – at 108kg and 1,86m – the 27-year-old fits in.
‘He’s Fijian – it’s in his blood. But it’s a big ask,’ Walsh said. ‘He’s a world-class 15s player but the sevens game is physically different. And it’s a team game.
‘You have your combinations and your cohesion but everything is magnified. Knowing your role and the ins and outs of sevens.
‘I doubt he would end up being a 14-minute player. He’s more of your impact player that will have a real injection into the game.’
Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
