Samu Kerevi will keep fans guessing ahead of what might be his last game at home for the Queensland Reds on Friday night.
The inspirational Reds captain has been strongly linked to a move to Suntory in Japan’s Top League from January, after this year’s World Cup.
The Reds will host the Auckland-based Blues at Suncorp Stadium, with both teams camped on five wins and all but out of the finals race.
The Wallabies centre has made the most carries (187), beaten the most defenders (58) and made the second most offloads (20) in the Super Rugby season and, aged 25, would depart at the peak of his powers. He also took over the Reds captaincy this year, his sixth at the club.
But Kerevi declined the chance to confirm his farewell game when pressed at Thursday’s captain’s run.
“To be honest it’s not up to me,” the Fiji-born, Brisbane-raised Kerevi said. “I’m here to serve the team and what’s best for the team … I’ll do the same tomorrow night, the same today (at training) and keep serving until that time’s up for me.
“Every time I put on the jersey I play like it’s my last (game), so tomorrow won’t be any different.”
Counting his grandmother as one of the Reds’ biggest fans, Kerevi admitted the call on his future had been playing on his mind.
“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to look at, in terms of my whole life,” he said. “Queensland’s been a massive part of my life, my family’s life.”
While Friday may be the end of Kerevi’s Reds tenure, it will mark a beginning for good mate Scott Malolua, who has returned from the rugby wilderness to start at halfback.
Malolua spent a year out of the game but has surged into favouritism at Ballymore ahead of Moses Sorovi, with Tate McDermott injured.
Wallabies lock Izack Rodda returns from his mandated rest, although Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will miss the game for that same reason.
Themed “Beat the Blues”, Friday’s match will be the Reds’ first ever Super Rugby Mental Health Round, seeking to raise mental health awareness.