Marika Koroibete has fired a warning to Eddie Jones’ England, saying he’s a superior player to the deadly winger who left Australia last year to ply his trade in Japan.
Koroibete on Tuesday night pledged his commitment to the Wallabies for the July three-Test series, certain to be one of the three overseas-based players coach Dave Rennie is allowed to pick.
“It will be a good experience. I will bring back a lot. I’m looking forward to it,” Koroibete said from Japan.
The 2019 John Eales Medallist capped a stellar inaugural Japan Rugby League One season with a try-scoring display in Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights’ 18-12 final win over Suntory Sungoliath on Sunday.
Koroibete said playing under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had helped him become an even more complete player.
“Getting my detail right,” the 29-year-old said of what he’d specifically been trying to improve.
“I’ve been working on my catch and pass, my decision-making under pressure. I have been given a licence to play what’s in front of me. It’s great. I’ve been given the freedom to roam on the field.”
Koroibete’s Wallabies future was up in the air when he left Australia, with Rennie unable to guarantee any offshore players would earn more Test caps.
But Rennie is now all but certain to call on veteran playmaker Quade Cooper and former vice-captain Samu Kerevi for the England series.
“He called me and we’ve been chatting about how I’m liking Japan and how the rugby is going,” Koroibete said.
“We had a conversation if I am still keen to come over and play in the England series. It will be good to go back and visit Australia.”
Deans expected Koroibete to prove a handful for England.
“He loves to play and the ball in his hands. If he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he finds a way to attack the game anyway,” Deans said.
“Players want passionate people, enthusiastic people, positive people and Marika is all of the above.”
Meanwhile Deans says Eddie Jones will some new tricks of his own to continue England’s impressive recent record against the Wallabies.
Deans said expected Australia to be a tougher challenge than many expect.
“I just think to beat Australia in Australia is going to be tough,” Deans said.
“The French failed last year. You could say that was down to them fielding their second or even third combination but it was still a good combination. This Australian team is lifting their ambitions. They are getting better around the contact area and they’re not going to roll over.
“You can only take so much punishment, particularly a proud sporting nation like Australia. They were always going to respond. They’ve exposed a lot of young players to Super [Rugby]. It’s about time in the saddle.
“No Australian sportsman is going to stay down for long. They’re on the incline and the international program will get the benefit of that. They’ll have more competition and more depth and ability to ride out injuries and form. They’ve got the ultimate incentive now – two World Cups.”
Three Wallabies leaving Brumbies
The Brumbies have announced Saturday’s Super Rugby quarterfinal will be the final game in the club colours for four senior players.
Wallabies fullback Tom Banks will be heading to Japan while Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio and Irae Simone are also leaving the club, as is head coach Dan McKellar.
Brumbies CEO, Phil Thomson said: “It’s always difficult to see both players and staff depart the club, especially this group who have contributed so well to the Brumbies but it is the nature of professional sport and life that people move on and it’s important to recognise them and to give our members, fans and other key stakeholders the opportunity to farewell those who have served the Brumbies so well.”
“Dan has led and coached the team with the same high level of commitment and passion this season as every other season and the organisation cannot thank him enough for the rugby program he has contributed to and developed in his nine seasons at the club, and we wish him and Ed Hollis who also departs all the best as they shift back to their roles with the Wallabies.
Tom Banks of the Brumbies in action. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
“Scott, Tom, Folau and Irae have all left a lasting impression in their time at the Brumbies, all playing more than 50 games for the club and we thank each of them for their commitment and contribution to the team both on and off the field.
“It has been a privilege to have Scott as part of the organisation and to see him develop into a leader amongst the group from his time in the Academy to becoming a Wallaby and a world class prop. He will definitely go down as one of the special players in the history of the Brumbies.
“The team and the entire organisation are focused on finishing this season together on a high, starting with Saturday’s Quarter Final against the Hurricanes which is a great occasion for our members, fans and key stakeholders to come out to GIO Stadium to support the team for what will be a very exciting and entertaining match.”
Sio told the Canberra Times he hoped he had “inspired someone to chase their dream, whether that is to be a Brumby, a politician or whatever it is here in Canberra – I hope I played a small part in their journey.
“For me, it was just about being the best role model I could for anyone coming through here, or any young player coming through the juniors, or anyone playing club rugby here in Canberra.
“Just by being as professional as I can here and I guess staying true to myself and my values as well the whole time. I hope I’ve done that.”
Sio is currently the fourth-most capped Brumby of all time and if he makes it to the Super Rugby Pacific grand final he will become the third-most capped player at the club.
“Every player comes to a point in their career where change is something that’s needed,” Sio said.
“I’ve given 11 great seasons here. They’ve stuck by me, had faith in me and for the Brumbies and I maybe we’re looking for a little bit of a fresh start.
“It’s tough to leave anywhere that you call home for such a long time but for personal growth, it’s an opportunity challenge myself in a new environment.”
Aussie-raised Brave Blossoms
Australian-raised trio Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter and Dylan Riley have been named in Japan’s 34-man training squad for their mid-year rugby Tests against Uruguay and France.i
No.8 Cornelsen, flanker Gunter and centre Riley are among 10 players included from the Saitama Wild Knights who clinched the inaugural League One final on Sunday, beating Tokyo Sungoliath 18-12.
Wild Knights flyhalf Takuya Yamasawa was rewarded for his heroics in the final with a recall to the national squad.
Yamasawa stood in for injured team mate Rikiya Matsuda, the regular Test flyhalf, and helped the Wild Knights to victory, crucially stripping Damian McKenzie of the ball just as the All Black looked certain to score.
The 27-year-old, who played three times for his country in 2017, was the only international flyhalf in the 34-man training squad with the other playmakers, Lee Seung-Shin and Hayata Nakao, among nine uncapped players.
The ‘Brave Blossoms’ face Uruguay in Tokyo on June 18 and again in Fukuoka a week later before taking on Six Nations champions France in Toyota on July 2.
(With AAP)
var request = new XMLHttpRequest();
request.open('POST', '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', true); request.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded;'); request.onload = function () { if (this.status >= 200 && this.status
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
yea, like who?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure it’s capped at 3 only in the squad. Should be bumped up a bit imo
Rhys
Roar Rookie
FF to the Force. Heard Simone was going to France but unsure where. Not certain on Sio
OMO
Roar Rookie
I agree, but I think Mark's ball security is a bit better, but definitely MK and AK on the wings. And with Tuilagi out, Kerevi will have a field day.
AndyS
Guest
Looking at it another way, you can be good at something and still work on it to get better. Equally though, you can neglect to do so, focus on the wrong things, and let the fundamentals slide. And Koroibete is talking like someone who is realising there might have been a bit of that creep in, which wouldn't be surprising given the much lamented skills gap in Australia. Perhaps not surprising that he noticed the difference in Japan too. It is a comp that has literally just gone fully professional, so a focus on skills would not be surprising. It is what you would expect (or at least hope for) in an NRC, and perhaps the lack has had a roll-on effect on standards in SR. Unlike other countries, Australian players aren't necessarily reminded of the importance of the basics each year. They just live in their little SR bubble, whereas if they had to be out there setting standards and taking a leadership role in training it might do their own game some good. As the old saying goes, if you really want to learn something, try to teach it. Other environments would all seem to have some element of that, but Australia doesn't.
AndyS
Guest
Sure, I never said otherwise. But the more simple concept that seems to be eluding you is that he is crediting Deans with encouraging him to actually do so, and thought it comment-worthy relative to whatever it was and/or however much of it he was doing before. So given that the changes he has identified are basic skills for his position, and he is specifically crediting that different/increased focus on basics with making him a better player, it can't help but beg the question why he wasn't doing or being asked to do similar here and had to go to Japan to find that out.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
You can be good at something and still work on it to get better. This simple concept seems to have eluded you.
AndyS
Guest
So you are saying that he is not specifically crediting former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans with helping him become 'an even more complete player' by getting him to work on the detail of his catch and pass, and decision-making under pressure? Maybe it is you that needs to work on basic comprehension, as it seems self evident to me that he feels those things have made him a better player and were identifiably something different from what he was doing previously with previous coaches. He most certainly didn't say "I feel I've just magically become a better player in Japan, even though I am only doing all the same things I've always done"
PeterK
Roar Guru
so your best test players would be dropped every second year for indifferent super rugby form, or even form just below the best performed in super rugby test form is much much more important than super rugby form when looking at wallaby positions. Beales good test form was years ago (2015 or so), Kellaway's was all of last year , you know the last time tests were played
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Question on the eligibility for Dave to pick international players. Can he only pick 3 or are only 3 allowed in the 22 man squad for each game?
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
And too one dimensional as a player. Kick or run straight into contact.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I hear what you are saying and I personally don’t like players getting a crack because of past performances. If that is the logic then why not Kurtly Beale at 15? He had some great form a while back. Players should be rewarded on form and the work they put in at training camp. Not how they played in the past.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
So many good players running around in oz at the moment on the wing, and inside centre. Such a shame I think to be pulling players back from overseas. Could justify it last year when super-rugby form was horrible. But this is australian super rugby's most successful year v the kiwis since 2015. Not needed to bring back players at all
Chufortah
Guest
Newsome is the best and safest full back in my mind. He’s made 1/2 mistakes when he’s played there for the Tahs and reminds me of a young Burke. I think he’s a very smart player who goes well with time and space, plus his high ball catching is sound, and he’s got a smart kicking game.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
This is so true and it is sad. I am happy to be proved wrong with Petaia but we all know beating top sides like England and NZ requires 80 minute performance and minimum errors. I wouldn't have Petaia anywhere near the 23 until he can deliver both. I really think Banks has been one of the most improved players in Australia this year, particularly after the criticism he received last year (most of it deserved). Banks may end up being number 2 (after Kerevi) on the Giteau Law list after the England series looking forward to next year
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Something I read from Deans in the SMH not captured here was "One thing you can be sure of is Australia will have a plan." A shot at the previous coach not having a plan perhaps?
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Kelloway was awesome in tests last year . It’s hard to Star amongst mediocrity. Koreibeti certainly needed some education. He’ll be fine but they will be well contained by England.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Does anybody know where Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio and Irae Simone are heading? I'd heard of Fainga'a and Simone departing but not Sio. Bad news, given the form he's found of late
AndyS
Guest
Which begs the original question - how did he need to go to Japan to find that out? Because at 29 it seems it is something he felt needed to be remarked upon.
Aiden
Guest
It’s an interview, he’s not making a speech. What … do you think Deans is playing catch with him in the backyard? Did it occur to you that he can already do those things but that good athletes will work on how to perfect the basics, at a higher level. A better understanding of when to pass for instance. When Ronaldo spends hours juggling … as he does and has done since he was 8 … he’s not ‘learning how to juggle’ he’s working on his touch and you can always get better at the basics of your sport. Get a grip.