Pollock is such an exciting player – Samu Kerevi

Urayasu D-Rocks centre Samu Kerevi has put his hand up for selection for the Wallabies this summer after a fine season in Japan and is now aiming to face the British and Irish Lions for the first time.

The vastly-experienced powerhouse, 31, has been in sensational form for his club team in Japan’s top-flight.

Fiji-born centre Kerevi scored 14 tries in 16 games to help keep basement outfit Urayasu in division one as they narrowly defeated Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in the relegation/promotion play-off.

The former Suntory midfielder scored four tries in the two play-off games as he faced off against his younger brother, hooker Jone, and older brother, full-back Josua.

In-form Kerevi now faces an anxious wait to see if he’ll be named in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad on 11 July.  

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Urayasu's Players' Player of The Year winner credited his teammates for his try-scoring exploits including a run of crossing for six games in a row from March to May.

“I don’t think I've had a run like this in my career, it's just the way the team sets up the pressure, I never look too much into it,” Kerevi told RugbyJP.

The ex-Queensland Reds star has graced stages such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Commonwealth Games in sevens, in his decorated career, and has his sights set on competing against the tourists in Australia.

Kerevi, who made his Wallabies debut in 2016 and has picked up 50 caps for his country, is hungry to take on the challenge of facing Andy Farrell’s Lions on home soil.

“I’ve just been focused on trying play consistently for Urayasu and for my teammates,” said Kerevi.

“I always want to put the (Wallabies) jersey on, especially for a Lions series, I never had that opportunity 12 years ago.

“Of course I’m keen to put my hand up for selection. God willing the call is there, but if it’s not I’ve got to be content as well.”

When asked about the Lions squad selection, Kerevi singled out Northampton Saints prodigy Henry Pollock for a special mention.

“I saw the squad, I think it’s Pollock, the young fella, I love seeing that, I’ve watched him, he’s such an exciting player. To see him named in the squad at 20, that’s so exciting for him and his family.”

The Lions open their 2025 campaign next week in Dublin against Honda Heat star Pablo Matera’s Argentina on 20 June.

Australia hosts Fiji in Newcastle on 6 July ahead of the first Lions Test Match at Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium on 19 July.