Samu Kerevi defies Rugby Australia resting programme to inspire Reds season

Queensland captain Samu Kerevi will front up again as the plucky Super Rugby side attempts to win a fifth game in seven matches on Friday night.

The Wallabies centre revealed on Thursday he refused to be rested against the Sharks a fortnight ago, a decision that was validated by his man-of-the-match performance in a crucial, drought-breaking Durban win.

Kerevi has been a constant standout in the Reds (4-5) up and down season but will be ordered to miss two games at some point this season in accordance with Rugby Australia’s World Cup workload management plan.

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But, fresh from the bye, he has no plans to ease up against the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium, with the Reds now just one win behind Australian conference leaders Melbourne.

“I wanted to play (in Durban). The coaches had planned for me to rest but I felt it was important to be part of that week, put my hand up,” he said.

“(The win) really instilled a lot of belief – I’ve only won once b efore that in South Africa – I was really happy for them.”

Queensland’s season looked dead and buried when they trailed the Sunwolves 21-5 at halftime in Tokyo and appeared on track for a fourth straight loss to start the season.

Brad Thorn’s men found something in the second half to escape with a three-point win and are now legitimately in the hunt for a finals berth with seven games to play.

The Reds’ next fortnight sees them away to the Rebels then home against the Waratahs, but Kerevi is doing his best to not look past this weekend’s hurdle.

“Three conference games, looking at it as a three-week block but we have to focus on this week,” he said

“Sunwolves are a great team, we’ve got to come with the right mindset when it comes to tomorrow night.”

Reds assistant ahead of the Sunwolves’ clash: