Upon witnessing Samu Kerevi in even just one match for the Queensland Reds, you would be forgiven for not believing that he stepped onto the professional rugby scene just last year. (Or should we say, exploded.)
In fact, the stocky Fijian flyer only made his run-on Super Rugby debut in the final rounds of the tournament in 2014.
The bolstering attacking prowess that has become Kerevi’s signature became apparent at Brisbane’s GPS Club and further fuelled during last year’s inaugural Buildcorp NRC, for which Kerevi made a significant contribution to his Brisbane City side’s Championship title.
Such was his impact in the NRC, Kerevi was voted by players in the tournament as the first-ever winner of the Buildorp NRC Players’ Player Award, newly added to RUPA’s Annual Award lunch in 2014.
The 108 kg centre is quite notably hard to stop on the rugby field, and therefore a staple and constructive asset for the Reds in a season that has seen its fair share of bumps along the road.
Kerevi was born in Fiji, where his father was a representative of the Fijian international soccer team. When he was eight, he started playing for the Souths Magpies Junior Club in Brisbane before studying at Brisbane State High School and representing GPS in his senior Club years.
He was also a member of the Australian Schools Rugby Championships in 2011 and was selected for the Australian Under 20s for the Junior World Championships in France in 2013, but wasn’t able to take part due to a shoulder injury.
It was that same year, however, that Kerevi was offered an Extended Playing Squad (EPS) contract with the Reds.
Kerevi considers himself outgoing, happy and relaxed, with his faith and family playing a big role in his life. He has lived with his Grandparents for most of his life, his Grandfather a Minister, while his parents live back in his hometown of Fiji.
Flagged by many as a sure-thing for Wallabies contention, Samu is set to add an exciting boost to the Men in Gold together with the three other sizeable uncapped recruits, Melbourne Rebel Toby Smith, NSW Waratahs', Taqele Naiyaravoro and Brumby, Rory Arnold, who were all recently named amongst the 40-man squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship.
