Is Marika Koroibete The Man To Save Australian Rugby?
Is one of the fastest men in rugby league on a fast track to obscurity by switching codes to play for the Melbourne Rebels? Jamie Wall assesses the case of soon-to-be Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete.
Melbourne Storm winger Marika Koroibete won’t actually be going anywhere when he switches codes – the Melbourne Rebels share AAMI Park with the Storm. He is going to have to get used to something different when he plays Super Rugby next year, though. He is going to be playing for a team who are probably not going to be very good.
Actually, make that two teams. Koroibete’s deal with the Australian Rugby Union also includes a place in the Wallabies – he looks set to be selected for their end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour before playing a game of Super Rugby.
Who is this guy the ARU are taking such a big punt on? The Fijian-born winger started out with an injury-disrupted couple of seasons with the Wests Tigers, and only really began to show his potential after a mid-season move to Melbourne in 2014. He ended the following season as the Storm’s top tryscorer and had earned a reputation for his extreme pace.
There’s this try as evidence. And this one. Valentine Holmes found out he is pretty quick without the ball, too – this incredible cover tackle effort involved almost running from his wing to the posts and back in one play.
But is all this going to translate into success in union, a game he hasn’t played since school?
Koroibete is travelling a well-trodden path for convert Wallaby wingers, with ARU more or less treating the NRL like its outside back development programme. There’s been a fair share of success stories, but about the same amount of busts – for every Israel Folau, there’s a Nathan Blacklock. For every Lote Tuqiri, a Clinton Schifcofske.
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Koroibete’s new team, the Rebels, have gone from being a retirement plan for veteran players to being interesting-for-all-the-wrong-reasons to finally settle on being characterised as a plucky, understrength outfit that can produce a few decent players. However, they’re unlikely to be anything more than that next season given Australian rugby’s much-talked about lack of depth.
Obviously money is a big motivator for Koroibete, plus a few trips to South Africa, Argentina and Europe that rugby league wouldn’t be able to provide. Perhaps the key thing to not is that he is only 24, so there’s every chance he could slot right back into the NRL if his move doesn’t work out. As shown with the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Benji Marshall, the transition back can be pretty much instantaneous with no hard feelings.
One thing is for sure though – he can still feel comfortable walking down the street in Melbourne. Given neither the NRL or Super Rugby are actually the one code they really care about in those parts, he can be assured that, whatever happens, people on the street probably won’t give him any sort of hard time.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments