With just 80 minutes remaining in the NRL, rugby-bound winger Marika Koroibete admits he’s only leaving the Melbourne Storm for money.
Sunday’s NRL grand final against Cronulla will be the Fijian flyer’s last match with the Storm after signing with the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team.
While his heart may still say Storm, his head said rugby union, with the massive joint offer from the Rebels and Australian Rugby Union, who view him as a future Wallaby, too good to refuse.
“I’d like to have stayed,” Koroibete said after the Storm’s gripping 14-12 preliminary final win over Canberra.
“I have to look after the family, especially back home (in Fiji).
“It’s a business decision; but if they gave me a good offer I would have stayed.”
Koroibete was involved in the game-changing play of the AAMI Park game, cutting through the Raiders defence and racing 70 metres.
Canberra fullback Jack Wighton was sin-binned for a professional foul as the Storm winger looked for a quick play-the-ball, and Melbourne took advantage of the Raiders being down a man with Cheyse Blair scoring less than a minute later.
Koroibete also pulled off a big hit on Raiders winger Jordan Rapana, who after taking a Blake Green kick, was driven back into the in-goal by the 23-year-old.
In the ensuing set Storm halfback Cooper Cronk came up with his team’s opening try.
Kororibete said it was tough to leave the club who kick-started his career after signing him from Wests Tigers mid-season in 2014 where he was languishing in the NSW Cup.
“Even today was a bit emotional, playing my last home game,” he said.
“Playing in the grand final next week will mean a lot to me.”
mikeT
Guest
No issues with this, at least he is honest. I suspect money is the same reason why he left union in the first place to go to league. He is now returning to the game he started in and I think he will come to enjoy it just as much as his time with the storm.
Christov
Guest
He is going to the Rebels not the Reds ;)
Birdy
Guest
You do have a point Donde but RU pays twice as much for wingers than we do. If the NRL kicked in with "war chest funds" to stop code hopping every player manager would come up with multi code contracts.
Donde es Fuss
Guest
So create a free for all for all 17 year old kids. Roosters ?
Birdy
Guest
Reward the clubs for developing players. That hit the nail on the head. The only thing you could add to that is to reward true match winners. Our top wingers arn't rewarded. Whats the use of having the worlds best backline if you have a winger who cant finish. Can we at least recognise a winger who is a match winner or a winger who brings the crowd to their feet everytime they touch the ball?
Roarsome
Guest
This is where the Salary Cap should be reduced and only apply to players changing clubs. The current club should always be in a position to beat rival offers from clubs in the NRL or any other comp. Too often, players are blooded or given a second opportunity after being unwanted by a previous club only to take success and then get squeezed out looking for better money. The NRL needs to allow clubs to hang on to players who make their debut for that club or come as a disgard and discover form. Reward the clubs for developing players.
At work
Roar Rookie
Good on him, I love his honesty and respect his decision. Rebels better give him the ball to take advantage of his obvious talents.
Big Tommy
Guest
It is going to be hard going from one of the most successful club teams in either code to one of the worst club teams. He looked like he was really enjoying rugby league.
Crashy
Guest
Oh god really? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.