Samu Kerevi has joined Quade Cooper in expressing his anguish on social media after withdrawing from the Wallabies spring tour of the United Kingdom.
The star centre has elected to participate in Suntory Sungoliath’s preseason instead of joining the Wallabies for Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said Kerevi, Cooper and Sean McMahon asked Rugby Australia not to invoke World Rugby’s regulation nine which would have forced the Japanese clubs to release the trio for Test duty in an official international window.
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“I’ve changed what I’ve wanted to write on this post many times. I’ve felt angry, sad, confused, betrayed but mostly heart broken,” Kerevi wrote on Instagram.
“I’m trying my best to let God take control instead of letting my emotions take over… But be careful, God has a way of bringing out the TRUTH one way or the other. He has his ways of humbling us all!
“I thank my club @sungoliath_official for allowing me this opportunity during my holiday to continue to pursue that dream.
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“I cherish my time in the Wallaby gold and having this opportunity to again represent this country has been amazing. Most importantly my teammates who we grow with each day through the highs and lows & Dave and his staff for their efforts the past few months.
“It’s never any one players jersey! You need strong shoulders when you put that jersey on because you carry the history of all the players of the past that paid it forward as I will one day leave it for the next. That time may be now and if it is, I will forever be grateful to have had played a part in the Wallaby journey.
“One thing, don’t ever question my love for it!”
If Kerevi really has played his last Test it is a gigantic blow to Australia’s hopes of lifting the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
The 28-year-old is at the peak of his powers and along with Cooper led the Wallabies to four straight Rugby Championship wins over South Africa and Argentina.
Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau combined in midfield in the win over Japan and are likely to continue against Scotland on November 8.
