Koroibete out to emulate Bloemfontein blinder

Tue, Sep 25, 2018, 4:30 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
There was one word Wallabies outside centre Reece Hodge used to describe the side's current situation, frustrating. The speedster confident the side can use their Springboks showdown as a platform for more success in the back half of 2018.

Saturday's Test against the Springboks will mark 12 months since Marika Koroibete took world rugby by storm with a scintillating double in his starting debut.

Having successfully made the transition from Melbourne Storm to the Melbourne Rebels his Bloemfontein blinder validated his class on the world stage.

A pair of sublime finishes coupled with some show stopping defensive plays were enough for coach Michael Cheika to hand him 13 straight Test starts in the year since.

As he returns to the country which put his name up in lights on the world stage Koroibete feels far more comfortable in the Australian fold.

"I was nervous going into that game," Koroibete said.

"It was a big arena and they love their rugby here but it was awesome.

"Coming back this year I feel confident.Koroibete is now a fixture in the Australian fold. Photo: Rugby Australia/Marty Cambridge"It's as confident as I have been in this squad.

The full extent of Koroibete's defensive nous will be required on Sunday morning (AEST).

Whether it's Aphiwe Dyantyi, Jesse Kriel or Cheslin Kobe the Boks have speed to burn.

Kobe is tipped to slot into the starting XV with Kriel pushed into the centres but it's Dyantyi who has caught the eye of Koroibete.

"He's been impressive," Koroibete said.

"This week we are going to work on something to stop him from scoring tries.

"He's a really exciting player for them."


Stopping Dynantyi and co will only be a piece of the puzzle required to stop the South Africans at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

There will be 46,000 rabid Boks fans willing their side on as they strive to stay in The Rugby Championship hunt.

Koroibete feels both he and the team have grown since they were last playing in South Africa and takes great confidence from his performance here this time last year.

"I played my first start here and since then I have been in the starting XV and playing more with the boys.

"It's given me confidence, knowing each other's game.

"The last couple of weeks have been tough but I'm going to play my best and do my best for the team."

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