It’s been a dire season of Australian Super Rugby but two Wallabies stars say there’s no negativity lingering around the Test camp in Melbourne.
The Wallabies convened on Sunday, coming together amid a season of Super Rugby turmoil, but Kepu said the uncertainty around the Force and the Rebels had not impacted the camp.
“No one's really spoken about it,” he said.
“I haven't really heard anything about it but they're pretty excited.
“A few fresh faces come in - Jermaine and those guys - they're keen to learn and soak in as much as they can. You've got world-class players from every franchise. It's about putting everyone together and just putting the best performance out on this coming Saturday.
"I'm sure they're dealing with it in their own personal ways but in training and in the group, their commitment is 100%, so it's been good."
Returned halfback Will Genia echoed Kepu’s thoughts, saying he had felt a fresh energy coming into the national camp, an energy jolt he needed after a long European season.
Though the Paris-based half said he hadn’t watched much Super Rugby through the year,
“I haven’t been watching but heard it’s been quite tough,” he said.
“Coming into the Australian side, obviously it’s the best players from all around the country so you leave your Super Rugby sides and what not at the door and it’s a fresh little drive towards wanting to do well here.
“That’s well and truly the case with training and meetings and with everything that’s gone on.”
Kepu gave Aussie fans a spectacular highlight on the weekend, with a runaway try against the Chiefs.
The 31-year-old has shown he can break the line against Fiji - he scored a crucial try in the nations’ 2015 World Cup clash, shaking off a handful of defenders to score in their pool match.
His 60-metre effort against the Chiefs last weekend earned plenty of plaudits and the prop says the Wallabies staff give him the same freedom to jump on those chances.
“We get our opportunities in the middle of the field and it's all about playing to your strengths and playing what's in front of you,” he said.
“The biggest thing for me is to go looking for those opportunities and the coaches have definitely given me those licenses to play with instinct and play with what's in front of you.”
The Wallabies will have their first full training session on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday’s opening June Test against Fiji.
Australia takes on Fiji on Saturday at AAMI Park, kicking off at 3pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
