Support our Nation today - please donate here
Sport

Samu Kerevi: Australia must put outside pressures to one side against Wales

21 Sep 2023 2 minute read
Samu Kerevi in action for the Barbarians . Photo David Davies PA Images

Samu Kerevi says Australia must put outside pressures to one side when they scrap for Rugby World Cup survival on Sunday against Wales.

The Wallabies have to beat Wales in Lyon or their hopes of avoiding a first pool-stage exit in World Cup history will effectively be over.

A 22-15 defeat to Fiji in Pool C last weekend means they can afford no further losses.

Even even if they defeat Wales for a sixth time in eight World Cup meetings – and then see off final opponents Portugal – it still might not be enough to progress.

Pressure

“The pressure comes from within this week, and the pressure from outside we have to put aside,” Wallabies centre Kerevi said.

“Wales will still be pretty physical. They have one of the great world-class 10s (Dan Biggar) and a great forward pack.

“They are a tough team, they grind it out for the whole 80 minutes. You saw that against Fiji where they took a great lead and Fiji came back, but they stayed in it.

“We understand the toughness about Wales. They are a team that have been together for quite a while and have that experience.

“We need to bring that intensity early in the game, and we can’t wait for the game to come. We have to take it to them and apply pressure.

“Fiji were outstanding (against Australia), their back-line outplayed us and full credit to them.”

Kerevi was yellow-carded when Australia played Wales at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Wales won a thrilling encounter 29-25 in Tokyo, which propelled them towards topping the group. Australia, as runners-up, also qualified for the knockout phase.

“It’s all a blur now,” he added. “We didn’t play to our full potential and there were a few little incidents that were bizarre to me.

“This is another important game, and it’s always an important game against Wales. No game is guaranteed, and it’s a really exciting challenge to turn the tide on what happened last time.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Discover more from Nation.Cymru

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading