Five games.
That's all it took for Samu Kervei to re-establish himself as one of the premier centres in the world, earning nomination for World Rugby's Player of the Year.
Click here to vote for Michael Hooper and Samu Kerevi for World Rugby Player of the Year
After a stint in Sevens, the 28-year-old was handed a shock return, going on to play a major role in the Wallabies five-game winning streak.
As voting closes shortly, Rugby.com.au looks back at five major moments from Samu Kerevi during a blistering 2021.
1.Sevens standout
Kerevi's return to gold came initially via the Sevens program as he pushed for selection at the Tokyo Olympics.
His influence was felt within the first 30 seconds during the Oceania Sevens against New Zealand, collecting the bat back from the restart before powering through two defenders to score.
Tries against Argentina and the Kiwis saw the side qualify for the knockout stages of the Olympics, before falling to a disappointing seventh.
He would return to Australia to quarantine, welcomed back into the Wallaby squad for the remainder of the Rugby Championship with Hunter Paisami returning home for the birth of his child.
2. Instant impression
Needing to fill a vacancy in the backline, coach Dave Rennie took advantage of relaxed eligibility laws for 2021 as he selected Kerevi for the third and final Bledisloe Test in Perth.
The centre's improvements since leaving in 2019 were on full display instantly as he picked the ball up from the ruck and ran 50 metres, putting Marika Koroibete over for what seemed to be the first try of the game.
Whilst the play would be brought back for an offside at the ruck, the passage set the scene for what would follow as they prepared for the World Champion Springboks.
3. Toying with South Africa
As the combination with Len Ikitau and Quade Cooper began the grow, so did his impact on the game as Kerevi terrorised the Springboks.
Kerevi was immense at getting the ball over the advantage line, allowing the Wallabies to play at the rapid pace necessary to upset South Africa.
His stat line of 17 carries for 46 metres, six tackle busts and a linebreak somehow fail to accurately represent his dominance as he powered Australia to victory.
4. Showing his touch
Whilst Kerevi made his name as a barnstorming centre, his refined playmaking abilities were something that really stood out during his stint at gold.
Playing outside of Beauden Barrett at Suntory has worked wonders for his distribution as he unlocked the attack, allowing the likes of Ikitau and Andrew Kellaway to shine.
This was highlighted in their 30-17 win over the Springboks a week after their triumph on the Gold Coast.
With the game still in the balance, he somehow managed to find Pete Samu with a perfect offload, putting him into space before Marika Koroibete finished off the try a phase later.
It was the perfect showcase of how past experiences in Japan and Sevens have shifted his gamestyle, making Kerevi even more damaging for defenders.
5. Finishing with a bang
Kerevi continued the form against Argentina, scoring the second try of the match as the Wallabies ran away with the victory.
Once again leading to team for carries (13 for 85 metres), the former Red proved unstoppable to help turn the danger game into an easy victory.
He would make this up a week later, scoring the opening try of the second half on his return to the Gold Coast.
Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, he would pick up an ankle injury shortly after the effort, which ultimately would be his last outing for 2021.
However, Kerevi's influence coupled with the remarkable career revival of Quade Cooper has likely changed how Wallabies selectors consider 'Giteau's Law' heading forward.
