Controversial rugby union recruit Marika Koroibete says he doesn’t expect to play a Test on the Wallabies’ spring tour but is still keen to impress his new coaches.
The rugby league convert is among a 32-man squad set to depart Sydney on Friday for the national side’s unique grand slam tour of Europe.
The former Melbourne NRL winger was sensationally selected by coach Michael Cheika despite not having played a Super Rugby match.
Koroibete on Friday denied he was guaranteed a seat on the plane by Cheika, despite letting slip last month in an interview during the NRL finals series.
“He didn’t promise me anything,” Koroibete said on Friday at Sydney Airport.
“I’m not expecting a game. I’m just expecting to train as hard as I can, try to impress the coaching staff and see how I go from there.”
The 24-year-old admits the switch in code will be a difficult task, having not played a game in the 15-man code since before leaving Fiji in 2010.
“It’s really hard coming from NRL straight to the Wallabies. I haven’t played a game since high school. This will be a big challenge for me,” he said.
“This tour is all about me learning as much as I can and we go from there. I’ve been watching rugby since I was young (but) it’s changed a lot now.”
Assistant coach Stephen Larkam said Koroibete’s priority would be fitting into the squad and learning the shapes and structures of the game.
However, he also recalled how a young Matt Giteau also scaled the heights to a Wallabies tour with little Super Rugby experience under his belt.
“And he turned into one of the greats of the game,” Larkham said.
“(Koroibete) certainly has got that background of rugby union and it’s not much different when you’re playing on the wing in rugby league to rugby union.
“There’ll be a few more patterns and slight changes from set pieces that he’ll probably have to get his head around but I think fitting in with the guys first and then just getting that opportunity is all he needs.”
Morsie
Guest
So what. If he's successful, and there's little to say he won't be very successful, the 15-17 year old will be cheering for him and will inspired by him.
soapit
Guest
and given he's ineligible for nsw and oz in league his earning potential from rep payments and additional exposure from being seen as an elite player is limited.
soapit
Guest
a reality check is another way of putting it.
Squirrel
Guest
All selections are based on contracts and manager deals with form being a 2nd important factor
Rakavi Fan
Guest
Don't you see the pattern? They are all coached or pressured to say something like that for the benefit and image of rugby league as the supposed greatest game with the greatest players / athletes. They've got a good media strategy the old rugby league. And part of it is also the player hedging his bets and not burning bridges in case he has to return ala Sailor and Lote.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yep. And has been a very successful convert overall.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
No, it means the offer from rugby was more than the Storm were willing to pay. Purely based on their model of keeping wingers to low salaries. Koroibete's contract probably isn't that much comparative to others. It just needed to be more than the Storm offer to justify the move and have it deemed a sound "business decision".
PeterK
Roar Guru
recent form being the last test, he was very good
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
It seems fine to me. He obviously shows great promise and Chek wants to fast track him. And he's not likely going to play, although its possible.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Isn't his test cap pre-paid? Koroibete: I'd like to have stayed [at league]," 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."
Tissot Time
Guest
Recent form suggest the fools could be correct.
Rakavi Fan
Guest
@Squirrel, he will be a star in RU but only after you spell his surname correctly ...
Squirrel
Guest
This is what will happen. Koriobete will not start against Wales and we will lose. Cheika will then bring Koriobete in and he will have blinders in all games but we will narrowly lose to England
Squirrel
Guest
Wait and see, you fools said Folau would be no good when he first transferred
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Don't take anything Squirrel says seriously. He's our version of a court jester.
Brian George
Guest
No expected incremental rise sounds awfully like a public service mentality to me whereas we're much more free market than that.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Our best winger by a mile? Based purely on how he plays a different sport? Surely you can't really think that?
Squirrel
Guest
He's our best winger by a mile. Dhp can't tackle and speight has no idea.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
How about the guy with obvious potential but who is unknown due to a lack of exposure? Koroibeti has been all over TV due to the success of the Storm but this is a different sport with different skill requirements. Clearly his selection on tour is a contract condition to get him to migrate to RU - surely there is a smell of favouritism there?
In brief
Guest
If a player was picked due to nepotism that would be demoralising. However a guy getting picked who has obvious potential and a track record in another code should not be an issue but more incentive to compete.