Australian · Lautoka, Fiji · Born 27 September 1993Samu Kerevi is a powerful ball-carrying centre who has been a key attacking weapon for the Wallabies since his 2016 debut.
Samuela Vatuniveivuke "Samu" Kerevi was born on 27 September 1993 in Viseisei, Fiji, to Nimilote Kerevi, a former Fiji international footballer, and moved to Brisbane, Australia, with his family at just four years old after being granted asylum. He attended Brisbane State High School, representing Queensland Schools, and briefly played alongside his brother Joshua for Fiji's under-20 side at the 2012 Junior World Championship before committing fully to Australian rugby. Kerevi made his Super Rugby debut for the Queensland Reds in 2014 and obtained Australian citizenship in 2016, the same year he made his Wallabies debut against England. He developed into one of the most powerful and direct centres in world rugby, winning back-to-back Reds Player of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019. Kerevi represented Australia at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, serving as vice-captain in 2019, and also competed in rugby sevens at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games, scoring a hat-trick against Jamaica before a serious knee injury ended his tournament early. Kerevi has played club rugby in Japan for Suntory Sungoliath and Urayasu D-Rocks, continuing to represent the Wallabies while based in Japan, and remains one of the most feared strike centres in international rugby, renowned for his combination of size, footwork, and offloading ability.
Powerful Fiji-born Wallabies centre
How They Played
Kerevi was renowned for his explosive ball-carrying ability and devastating line breaks through the midfield. His combination of size, pace, and footwork made him extremely difficult to tackle, while his offloading skills and vision created opportunities for teammates. He possessed excellent handling skills and could function as both a playmaker and a powerful crash-ball runner.
Lasting Impact
Kerevi established himself as one of the most dynamic centres of his generation, influencing how the position is played in modern rugby.
Career Honours
- Wallaby of the Year nominee
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland Reds | 2014–2019 | 63 | 8 | #12 |
| Suntory Sungoliath | 2019–2022 | — | — | — |
 Australia | — | 46 | — | — |
Australian Athletes