Incredible journey gets even bigger for flying Fijian Marika Koroibete
By Wayne Cousins
Sunday 29 July 2012 2:05 PM
Incredible journey gets even bigger for flying Fijian Marika Koroibete
Exciting Fijian winger Marika Koroibete will today make his NRL debut at ANZ Stadium – a far cry from the playing fields of Navaiyawa.
The 19-year-old has been promoted to the Wests Tigers NRL side by Head Coach Tim Sheens following some impressive form this season.
A player with blistering speed, Koroibete has had to overcome many obstacles both on and off the field in just his second season with Wests Tigers.
Prior to his arrival, his only experience playing rugby league was in his village of Navaiyawa and at school level.
Koroibete was recommended to Wests Tigers in 2010 by current U20s assistant coach Joel Greig, who first came across his raw talent as coach of the Fijian U19s side.
Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell and then Wests Tigers U20s Coach Grant Jones agreed to sign the youngster after witnessing first hand Koroibete’s blistering pace playing for a touring Fijian side against a NSW Cup rep team at Wentworthville.
A softly spoken but polite young man, Koroibete not only had to overcome the huge adjustment of moving from his family and living in Sydney but also adapting to his new Wests Tigers team-mates and the style of football Jones had the team playing.
It didn’t take Koroibete long to quickly become a fan favourite with his rawness and his electrifying speed. By the end of 2011, he had scored 9 tries in 15 matches in his first season in the NYC.
This year, Koroibete has taken another major step, scoring 13 tries in 11 games in the U20s. He started the season in fine style, scoring three tries in two games but a shoulder injury picked up in the win over Manly at Bluetongue Stadium saw him miss four weeks.
His comeback from the shoulder injury was progressing well with the fearless running winger scoring six more tries in as many games.
However Koroibete’s season was halted for a second time when he was suspended for three games for a grapple tackle in the win over Canberra in round 13.
Since then, Koroibete has continued to impress, scoring four more tries in three games, including a hat-trick in the win over the Cowboys last Monday night. His record now stands at 22 tries in 26 games over the past two seasons.
Ironically, Koroibete’s first hat-trick came against today’s opponents South Sydney at ANZ Stadium last season. It has certainly been one massive journey already for this very friendly Fijian!
Marika’s 2012 season
Rd 1: 2 tries vs Cronulla
Rd 2: 1 try v Manly
Rd 3:-6: Did not play due to shoulder injury
Rd 7: 2 tries v Penrith
Rd 8: 1 try v Parramatta
Rd 9: 1 try v Gold Coast
Rd 10: Bye
Rd 11: 1 try v Warriors
Rd 12: 1 try v Cowboys
Rd 13: did not score against Canberra
Rd 14-16: Suspended
Rd 17: Bye
Rd 18: 1 try vs Bulldogs
Rd 19: did not score against Penrith
Rd 20: 3 tries against Cowboys
