Marika Koroibete marvels at how freakish fellow Fijian Semi Radradra can make crossing codes look so easy.
Radradra has gone from carving up in the NRL for Parramatta to carving up for Toulon in French rugby’s Top 14.
Then at the end of his first season in the 15-man code, he dominated Eddie Jones’ English Test side, overshadowing everyone else in a star-studded Barbarians outfit, before propelling Fiji to victory in the London Sevens.
In contrast, Koroibete – a former try-scoring machine for the Melbourne Storm – felt like a fish out of water, “guessing” about how to play for the Rebels and Wallabies, in his return to the game.
But now the 25-year-old is feeling at home again and excited about his chance to thrive in Australia’s creative backline against Ireland on Saturday night.
His pace has returned after a pre-season knee injury and the confidence is up after a hat-trick for the Rebels a fortnight ago against the Sunwolves.
“Last year was a big challenge,” he told AAP. “To start it was not easy to come from rugby league and … I was not confident.
“This year I pretty much know my role and know what the team expects from me.
“It’s exciting. Sometimes before I was just guessing out on the field; now I know what I want to do.”
Koroibete credits the coaching from two Spring Tours to get him up to speed while Radradra’s instant transition shows he’s “on a different level”.
“It’s hard to go from rugby league to 15s, and then from 15s to sevens – it’s a different fitness,” the eight-Test flyer said. “He’s just an amazing player and he’s just getting better.”
While the rest of Australia’s backline is settled with Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau assured their positions, Koroibete is set to get the nod for one wing spot, with Reece Hodge the other.
Another league convert, Curtis Rona, is challenging Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani for the more contentious No.13 jersey.
The biggest mystery to be revealed at Thursday’s team announcement is who will partner Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the back-row.
Queensland second-rower Lukhan Tui could even be a left-field starter ahead of Reds teammate Caleb Timu and Crusader Pete Samu to shore up the lineout.
One thing is for certain, Michael Cheika will name two debutant hookers with Brandon Paenga-Amosa tipped to start ahead of Folau Fainga’a following the retirement of Stephen Moore, the resting of Tatafu Polota-Nau and injury to Jordan Uelese.
Despite their own veteran hooker Rory Best sidelined, Ireland have a more settled line-up to choose three months after they went through the Six Nations undefeated.
