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Sources with knowledge of the situation say that Cheika immediately put a line on Samu’s name when he decided to attend the family event.
“I always take care of the family first,†Samu said. “If I had to choose football or family, it would be family. If that’s the reason I got screwed, then yeah, I don’t know what to say about it.
Pete Samu is racing against South Africa in the rugby championship. Credit:Getty
“Being at home was always good to be with family. It didn’t work out on the soccer field, but it was really positive to be back home and be with family.
“I would love to play a World Cup at the end of my career.”
Samu wanted to play Super Rugby in Australia and has fond memories of his days with Randwick in 2012 and 2013. But he made a name for himself after moving to New Zealand, where he played 33 games for champion Crusaders of 2016 to 2018.
“I did a full preseason with the Tahs and I was in this academy. I played a few tryouts for them, â€Samu said. “I don’t know how close I was to getting a contract, but I think I was in the mix there. It didn’t work, which was a blessing in disguise.
“My plan was to always come home [to Australia] which ended up working.
Line up alongside Brumbies teammate Rob Valetini for the first time in a test this weekend is something that turns Samu on, and he says their roles aren’t much different.
“It’s really the number on our backs,†Samu said. “We generally share the load around the # 8 role on the scrum.”
With Hooper the third amigo in this weekend’s new Wallabies row, Samu learned some of the best, including two All Blacks captains from Richie McCaw – albeit very briefly – and Kieran Read during his time in Canterbury, where he won two Super Rugby Titles with the Crusaders.
Pete Samu clinched a second Super Rugby title with the Crusaders in 2018. Credit:PA
“Not only can he cover any position, but on the pitch in the rotational positions he’s awesome,†Samu’s Hooper said. “His ball ranges are excellent. Good presence around the plating … good engine on him. There is a lot to love about Pete.
“When he came off the pine in all the games he changed the pace, he did something in the form of a line break or a sneaky choice [and drive] or just a good link game.
“Now he has more minutes to do the same. It’s a very good reward.
Samu returned to the Wallabies, but as in 2019, family comes first and remains his driving force.
Samu says his young son Grayson, born in February, is the reason he plays rugby and strives to improve every day.
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“Having my little one has shown me that there is more to life than soccer,†Samu said. “He’s the biggest motivation every time I go out on the pitch. I just think of my family at home [in Victoria]. “
The Wallabies are looking for their fourth straight win for the first time since 2017.
“[To beat Argentina] we just have to stick to our game plan and make sure we play on the right side of the pitch for most of the game, â€said Samu.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch every game of the The rugby championship continuing this Saturday with the Wallabies vs. Argentina followed by the Springboks vs. the All Blacks – both games broadcast live, extended and ad-free on Stan Sport from 4:15 p.m. AEST.
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