Sitting and watching the Wallabies overturn a 24-point halftime deficit to Argentina in Salta last year lit a fire in Samu Kerevi.
The centre wasn’t a part of Australia’s team as they claimed a famous 45-34 win over the Pumas last October – and it hurt.
“After that game in Salta I was gutted I wasn’t able to play,” Kerevi said.
“Seeing the boys rip up like that was awesome.”
Kerevi regained his spot in the team for the final Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan before going on the Spring Tour.
He then returned home and reluctantly agreed with Brad Thorn to shift to inside centre for the Super Rugby season.
Since then though the 25-year-old hasn’t looked back.
One of the best-performed Australian players in this year’s Super Rugby campaign, Kerevi played in the No.12 jersey in last weekend’s Rugby Championship opener against South Africa.
Kerevi says despite his initial reluctance to move to the No.12 spot, he has to concede Thorn made the right call.
“Thorney was laughing about it at the end of the year … but I think I had to realise I could play 12 in a different way,” he said.
“I was so used to seeing 12s play that playmaking role, I wanted to bring my own little mix into it.
“Happy with the way things went in Super Rugby but you can always get better.”
This weekend the Wallabies once again face Argentina with Kerevi poised to face the Pumas at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Whether he stays at No.12 or moves to outside centre is up to coach Michael Cheika, and a decision Kerevi says he won’t be arguing with whichever way it falls.
“We’re all trying to put our hand up for the carrot of a World Cup. It’s good competition.”