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No regrets for Wallabies winger Koroibete

His native Fiji are fighting for a place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, but Marika Koroibete is happy to be riding on the Wallabies wing instead.

Marika Koroibete.
Former NRL winger Marika Koroibete again made his presence felt for the Wallabies against Wales. (AAP)

Ticking boxes seemingly every week, Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete has no regrets passing up the chance to help pilot Fiji into the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.

Hours after his native Fiji take on New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals in Wellington on Saturday, Koroibete will be gracing Twickenham for the first time as the Wallabies chase redemption for four straight losses last year to Eddie Jones' England.

The former Melbourne Storm flyer knows precisely where he would rather be.

"I did that before, had my time in rugby league, so it's time to move on," Koroibete said before Wallabies training on Tuesday.

"I had my time with Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup, managed to reach the semi-finals (in 2013).

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"Hopefully the boys go far this year. Hopefully they make another step from there, reach the finals if they can."

So while he wishes his former teammates all the best, Koroibete is very much living in the moment, relishing his new role in the Wallabies' starting XV after making the code switch on last year's spring tour following the Storm's NRL grand final loss to Cronulla.

"Last year I was a passenger. I was just trying to settle in there and I was sitting in the crowd watching the boys," he said.

A year on and Koroibete is no longer unsure of himself in the 15-man code.

He bagged a crucial try in a Bledisloe Cup win over the All Blacks, tasted more success in his first Test in the northern hemisphere last Saturday against Wales and now hopes to experience the wonders of Twickenham.

"It will be a big challenge against England. They're one of the best teams in the world and it's a big challenge for us. Hopefully it will be a good game," said Koroibete, who picked up an award as the Wallabies' internal defender of the week.

While he was unable to add to his try tally in his fifth Test, Koroibete still made his presence felt at Principality Stadium, sidelining Welsh centre Jonathan Davies for six months in a tackle gone wrong for the British and Irish Lions star.

"It's just a bit unlucky," Koroibete said.

"I just saw him, made my tackle, and he landed on his other knee. I feel sorry for him."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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