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Wallabies star Marika Koroibete re-commits to Rugby Australia
By Online Editors
Melbourne's World Cup winger Marika Koroibete has signed a new two-year deal with the Rebels and Rugby Australia.
The explosive code-hopper, who switched from the NRL to rugby in 2017, made it clear his future lay in the 15-man game and said it was an easy call.
"I am really enjoying my rugby, so it was an easy decision to stay with a club that gave me a chance to play the game," said Koroibete, ahead of the Wallabies World Cup opener against Fiji in Japan on Saturday.
"My family and I are very happy in Melbourne and we have support at the Rebels that is not taken for granted.
"I still have a lot that I want to achieve in rugby and after the World Cup I am excited to get back to the Rebels and do our best to play Super Rugby finals in 2020."
Making his test debut in 2017 after switching from the Melbourne Storm, Koroibete has been one of Australian rugby's biggest improvers over the last 12 months.
Rebels boss Baden Stephenson said he expected Koroibete to continue to make his mark in the next two seasons.
"Marika is a hard working, robust and explosive player who is very well suited to our game style," Stephenson said.
"His commitment to continue in Melbourne is a massive statement of belief in the quality of the program and people at our club."
Koroibete will start on his left wing in tomorrow's Word Cup opener in Sapporo against his native Fiji, in what will be his first appearance at the game's showpiece event.
AAP
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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