Wallabies wing weapon Marika Koroibete says it’ll be strange facing birth nation Fiji, but he’s savouring the prospect of playing a World Cup in a second rugby code.
Koroibete played five matches for Fiji at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, where his side was thrashed 64-0 by an Australian team including Cameron Smith Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Paul Gallen and Greg Inglis.
The former NRLspeedster has now emerged as a major strike weapon for the Wallabies at this month’s Rugby World Cup in Japan after finding rich Test form in his third season of rugby union.
He highlighted it with a man-of-the match performance in Saturday’s 34-15 win over Samoa, scoring a dazzling solo try which showcased, his speed, strength and footwork.
After starting in four of Australia’s five 2019 Tests, the 27-year-old is a strong contender to be part of the run-on side for their World Cup opener against Fiji on September 21 in Sapporo.
“Of course it (playing against (Fiji) will be strange,” Koroibete said.
‘But for me Australia give me an opportunity. I love this country and they really give me an opportunity to provide for my family.
“Facing Fiji I’ll do my best to help my team to win if I play and hopefully if I make it in.”
Koroibete sees the World Cup as a chance to measure himself and also to showcase his talent against the best wingers in the game.
“I love being in the big games, I went with Fiji to the Rugby League World Cup, it’s not as big as the Rugby World Cup,” Koroibete said.
“It’s something when I switched to rugby I wanted to go to. I set my target.
“It’s an opportunity for players to show to the world how good you are and compete with other wingers, the best wingers in the world, and go out there and show who you are as well.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika clearly believes the best is yet to come from Koroibete
“There’s no need to put a cap on where you can go,” Cheika said.
“He (Koroibete) keeps learning more about the game as he goes on but he’s got so much energy and he’s a real favourite inside of the team..
“He’s got a calm demeanour, but he’s a bit of a joker as well and there’s always something going on around him
“The first half of the year I am not sure what was going on, but the back half of the year he’s really come on, so we’ll be looking to try and improve him.”