Kuridrani puts his hand up for the long haul
TEVITA Kuridrani’s dream was to play one Test for the Wallabies and the way he is heading he could be close to his century of Tests by the time he calls time on his rugby career.
Kuridrani signed a new two-year deal with the Wallabies and the Brumbies on Wednesday and said he was excited about what lies ahead.
“I’m really excited to stay with the Brumbies and Australian Rugby and know the future has lots in store,” Kuridrani said in a media release.
“When I moved to Australia from Fiji, it was my dream to just play one time for the Wallabies, so to now have done it 50 times is amazing.
“Australia has been good to me and my family, so while I had some offers to go overseas, I just didn’t want to leave.
“I really believe in what we’re building here at the Wallabies but also at the Brumbies and I hope I can be a big part in that.”
It’s been a memorable week for the 26-year old, who led out the Wallabies in their last start against South Africa in Perth, after he notched his 50th Test cap.
Born in Fiji, Kuridrani moved to Brisbane in 2007 before going on to represent Australia on the HSBC World Sevens Series and for the Australia U20s.
The centre made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2012 before becoming Wallaby 872 just a year later, when he ran out against New Zealand in August 2013.
The renowned defender has enjoyed a superb form resurgence in the last 12 months, with the centre falling one try short of his own ‘Grand Slam’ on the 2016 Spring Tour as he almost emulated the famous feats of Mark Ella back in 1984.
Kuridrani is the cousin of former Wallaby Lote Tuqiri, as well as Fijian star Nemani Nadolo.
He made his Test debut v New Zealand in 2013 and has scored 15 tries in his time in the gold jersey.