Koroibete to sit out Boks clash
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said superstar winger Marika Koroibete “wasn’t quite ready” for today’s Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Brisbane, being left out of the team despite having shelved plans of international retirement to play again.
The 32-year-old former Melbourne Rebels star, who has played his club rugby for Japanese team Saitama Wild Knights since 2021, was added to an extended Wallabies squad after not being in new coach Joe Schmidt’s plans for last month’s games against Wales and Georgia.
It was expected the 59-test veteran would have been chosen for what’s shaping as a tough battle against the reigning world champions.
Schmidt has opted for Filipo Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway as his wingers, with Koroibete not even named on the bench, where the versatility of Dylan Pietsch has been preferred.
“Marika wasn’t ready,” Schmidt said.
“This week was about orientating him, and getting him back up to speed. Marika will be available beyond this week but this week was a little bit too soon. quite
“Marika and I had a chat at the start of the week. For those guys who are fresh in this week, it’s a whole new language to learn, just to get them comfortable in the system, it’s just to give them enough time really.
“He’s fitted in really well. He’s a character, Marika, around about the place in a really positive sense, and he has a real sense of the game that allowed him to get involved at the right moments.”
Schmidt has made six changes to the team that started in Australia’s 40-29 win over Georgia on July 20 in Sydney.
Flanker Carlo Tizzano will debut for the Wallabies, replacing the injured Fraser Mcreight.
Hooker Matt Faessler comes in for Billy Pollard, and lock Lukhan Salakaia-loto for Angus Blyth.
Halves Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio have been recalled at the expense of Tate Mcdermott and Ben Donaldson, while Kellaway comes in for winger Darby Lancaster.
Mcdermott has been named on a bench that includes a potential debutant, ACT Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer.