Imperiled URC side close in on Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete

The Ospreys are closing in on a deal with former Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete, who has been speaking to them about joining ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season, which they kick off against the Sharks at Kings Park at the end of next month.

The Ospreys already have two Australian internationals at the club, with Chiefs inside centre Lalakai Foketi joining back-rower Liam Wright in South Wales earlier this summer. They have also signed Lawson Creighton from the Waratahs.

Former Australia A lock Ryan Smith was signed from the Queensland Reds last summer and made 15 appearances, scoring one try for the club in his debut season.

Fiji-born Koroibete, 34, started his career in the NRL with Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm before switching codes to join the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels seven years ago, having already qualified for the Wallabies under the four-year residency rule.

The dual-code international has played for the last five seasons in Japan’s Rugby League One Division One with the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights but is now a free agent after his contract ended.

The Wild Knights have replaced him with another cross-code star, Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is returning to rugby union after a stint in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters.

Koroibete won the last of his 63 Tests for the Wallabies after breaking his arm against the All Blacks in September 2024, and could qualify for his native Fiji just before the World Cup next year.

Ospreys boss Mark Jones, who signed Wales international Tom Rogers from the Scarlets, is still keen to increase his firepower out wide and has been looking in rugby’s bargain basement for a new signing.

And he appears to have found one in the form of Koroibete, who has been offered a one-year deal worth around £100,000 to join the Ospreys and give him a chance of playing regularly before the World Cup.