Step Up Bati: Koroibete
Ticking boxes seemingly every week, Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete has no regrets passing up the chance to help pilot the Vodafone Fijian Bati into the Rugby League World Cup semifinals.
Hours after his native Fiji take on New Zealand in the World Cup quarterfinals in Wellington on Saturday at 7.30pm, 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 in London. “I had my time with Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup, managed to reach the semifinals [in 2013].
“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 15man 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.
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