Returning backrower Pete Samu admits the disappointment of missing out on past World Cups is driving him to greater things in the gold jersey.
Samu will join the NSW Waratahs at the end of the French Top 14 season with Bordeaux and is signed until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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With the Final on June 28, the same day as the opening British & Irish Lions tour game in Perth, it leaves the former Crusader and Brumby racing the clock to be back for the Lions tour should Bordeaux make the decider as expected.
However, there’s a greater goal in mind in 2027 after a series of near misses for the 33-year-old.
Samu made his debut in 2018 in the Test arena and finished the year with multiple starts in the number eight jersey, only to miss World Cup selection in 2019.
It was a similar scenario in 2023 - Samu forced to watch on with Australia A in nearby Massy after a sensational 2022 season.
“Missing out on a couple of World Cups, that’s the big motivator for me and I’m hoping to get one back at home. I still had this desire that I had unfinished business in the gold jersey,” Samu said to reporters.
“Obviously disappointing not to make World Cup again (in 2023). I feel like everything happens for a reason and I'm just really excited to head back home to hopefully get another crack.”
Samu is still in career-best form and ready to make a difference to the Waratahs and Australian Rugby.
He will play a big role in Bordeaux’s Champions Cup Final against Northampton on the weekend, with tries in their quarter-final and semi-final wins over Munster and Toulouse.
“I feel like I'm playing some of my best footy, which I feel I can add a lot to back home. I wouldn't be back holding pads,” he said and smiled.
“…I think I’m really enjoying my footy a lot more. Being in a new environment, a whole new culture, I feel like it's brought that enjoyment back.
“I definitely feel like I haven't played my best footy (for the Wallabies). Watching the boys play recently, they're playing a lot more freely, which is quite good.”
Throughout his time overseas, Samu kept in touch with current Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, who brought the backrower back from New Zealand after breaking through with the Crusaders.
Samu spent time in the Waratahs system as a training member, but felt there was ‘unfinished’ business in the sky blue jersey and with McKellar.
“It was where I was hoping to start my career, and that got pushed back, and I really enjoyed my time in Sydney,” he said on his Waratahs stint.
“I think it was Izzy’s (Folau) first year, which was pretty cool, but not getting that opportunity, it left things unfinished, which is pretty cool to come back, and it’s definitely a full circle moment.
“I really enjoyed playing under Dan, and we have a really good relationship there. I flicked him a message and just wished him well for the season, obviously in new colours, which was a bit funny.
“We kept in touch here and there, and I basically reached out and said, ‘we're hoping to come home,’ and here we are.”
