It’s just six weeks out from the opening Wallabies Test and Reds centre Samu Kerevi is hitting form at the right time of the season.
After a slow start to the year, Kerevi has dominated Super Rugby over the last three weeks, scoring three tries and averaging more than 100 run metres per match, but he isn’t letting the potential distraction of a Wallabies call-up get in his way.
“I haven’t heard too much of it or don’t really pay attention to it,” he said.
“For me it’s about putting my best foot forward for the team. We’ve had a rough year but I see a lot of things turning. “
Kerevi is just one of the bolters that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has in mind for the series against England in the coming months.
“I’ve seen that perhaps after a slower start to the season Samu Kerevi’s really starting to get into a bit of a groove, I think Karmichael Hunt’s had a good year so far.” Cheika said.
“There’s opportunities for other players that are in the squad this year in the outside backs who haven’t had a chance - (Force winger Luke) Morahan, (Dane) Haylett-Petty - and I won’t be scared to give guys a game but they have to show that they deserve that game.
“I’m not just going to give them a game because, ‘Oh well, let’s try someone new’,” he said.
The Wallabies centre pairing is set to be one of the most debated positions with numerous players putting their hand up for selection.
Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua are said to be the options at inside centre while incumbent outside centre Tevita Kuridrani is battling with the in-form Kerevi and even newly positioned star Israel Folau.
“You want to play well enough that you’re doing well for the team where you put your hand up for national honours,” Kerevi said on Wallabies selection.
“Cheika has got his hand full with selections, a lot of centres are playing well, you’ve still got Tevita Kuridrani who’s playing exceptionally for the Brumbies,” he said.
However, Kerevi’s main focus this week will be on the Cheetahs as the Reds look to secure their second win of the season.
“They put 80+ points on the Sunwolves so for us they’re a very dangerous side,” he said.
“The number 12 (Francois Venter) is a big guy and for myself (it’s) just focusing on my job and helping the others around me and put out an 80-minute performance that the Queensland fans will be proud of.”
The Queensland Reds play the Cheetahs at 7:45pm AEST Saturday, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
