Former NRL star Marika Koroibete will be unleashed in the Brisbane Tens as he pushes for a starting Super Rugby spot at the Melbourne Rebels.
The Rebels announced on Friday Koroibete will be included in their 18-man squad for the two-day pre-season tournament at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in February.
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After leaving the Melbourne Storm in October, the 24-year-old was fast-tracked into the Wallaby’s Spring Tour squad and played a non-Test match for Australia against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux.
Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan said Koroibete, who scored 46 tries in a 74-game NRL career with Melbourne and Wests Tigers, had the speed and strength to make a successful move to rugby.
“”The Spring Tour allowed Marika to transition to rugby with the opportunity to learn and train aside the best players so we’re prepared to give him this unique opportunity,” he said.
The Melbourne Rebels will finalise their squad in January ahead of the 10-a-side tournament on February 11-12.
The 14-team competition features players from all 10 Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby franchises as well as four invitational sides, including French club Toulon.
The 2017 Super Rugby season kicks off on February 23.
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