Tevita Kuridrani said he was motivated to show Wallabies selectors “that I have still got it” with a powerhouse performance against Uruguay in Oita.
And the Brumbies centre did such a good job, Michael Cheika conceded Kuridrani could definitely have forced his way back into the conversation for a starting role in remaining games at the World Cup.
Since he last played against the Springboks in a midfield with Samu Kerevi, Kuridrani hadn’t played for over two months; first after being demoted to behind James O’Connor in the no.13, and then with a hamstring injury picked up at the Noumea camp.
But he was outstanding in his first game back, scoring two tries against Uruguay, and hard and straight running made life a nightmare for Los Lelos.
He beat ten defenders and ran for 130 metres. His second try was a blistering 40 metre run through a gap and to the line.
"It was good. I have been out for so long now, maybe just over two months. I was excited to get back out there and play again,” Kuridrani said.
"It was very disappointing (during the winger), and especially just coming back to play against Samoa, I did my hammy. But I am just trying to stay positive and keep working hard and I hope I will get another chance.
🖐 GET OFF ME! What a fend from @wallabies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani #AUSvURU #RWC2019
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"I just keep training hard. At the end of the day it’s up to the selectors who they pick but I just wanted to prove that I have still got it, with this performance, just to put my hand up for selection.”
The Wallabies have enjoyed some success with O’Connor emerging as a ball-playing no.13, and performing well, too.
But Kuridrani’s direct muscle fits in with the type of rugby that is doing the best for the Wallabies at this World Cup; hard and straight.
Michael Cheika said Kuridrani had stuck his hand up for further selections.
"Definitely, we have shown a bit more horses for courses in this tournament already and depending on the opponent, there could be different options,” Cheika said.
"We could have a James-type player as well at fullback, and in the centre. And James has been playing well, too, so it’s a good contest and this was Tevita’s first game back and he certainly did himself no harm at all in relation to selection going forward.”
The Kerevi-Kuridrani partnership appeared to fizzle as an option because the pair were both playing a similar role.
But Kuridrani says they’ve improved their partnership since in training, and said if they were paired together again, it’d work much better.
“Maybe at the start of the Rugby Championship we didn’t understand our roles a little bit but I reckon for me, I understand my role and what I need to do for the team andI reckon if we get given a chance again, we will be different to when we started,” Kuridrani said.
