And so to Japan in Japan and the Wallabies should be afraid. Not because Japan is exceptionally good at Test match rugby – indeed they are near enough a lock on the World Rugby ranking position number ten ahead of Fiji, Georgia, Italy and Samoa. And not because of their name, which is the Brave […]
Sayonara : Marika Koroibete makes his Japanese departure official A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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Marika Koroibete is officially leaving Australian rugby and the Melbourne Rebels, with the star winger confirming his move to Japan on Friday.
Amid much ado in Japan, Robbie Deans’ 2021 championship-winning Panasonic Wild Knights welcomed Koroibete for the country’s first fully professional season next year.
The 2019 John Eales Medallist as Australia’s player of the year will link up with the Wild Knights for the Japan Rugby League One kicking off on January 7.
Star rugby winger Marika Koroibete headed to Japan
July 23, 2021 GMT
SYDNEY (AP) Star winger Marika Koroibete is leaving Australian rugby to play in Japan.
The Fiji-born Koroibete said Friday he would join former Australia coach Robbie Deans’ 2021 championship-winning Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japan Rugby League One.
The 2019 John Eales medalist as Australia’s player of the year will link up with the Wild Knights for the new professional league’s start on Jan. 7.
His decision is a blow for his Super Rugby team the Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies, with test coach Dave Rennie reluctant to use overseas-based players for national team duty.