**MARIKA KOROIBETE ADJUSTS TO LIFE AND LEAGUE IN SYDNEY**
_By Wayne Cousins_
From the hills of Fiji to a packed Leichhardt Oval, it has been one massive transition for exciting young Wests Tigers winger Marika Koroibete.
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Koroibete’s 7 tries in 7 games in the U20s competition this season has seen him become of the most talked about youngsters at Wests Tigers.
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Two of his tries came in his debut against Souths in round 10 while Marika went within one try of equalling the club U20s record of four tries, set by James Tedesco, in bagging a hat-trick against the Bulldogs in round 16.
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The quietly spoken winger was first spotted by Wests Tigers U20s Assistant Coach Joel Greig in the Fijian U18s team. From there, he was selected in the Fijian Open team and caught the eye of Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell and Wests Tigers U20s Coach Grant Jones. He was brought to Wests Tigers last summer.
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“This is my third year playing rugby league. I played league for Nasinu Secondary School. We won the secondary schools competition last year. I use to play full-back,’’ Marika said.
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Athletics was another sport at which Marika excelled, often winning the 100 and 200 metres at school and regional carnivals. He claims his best time over 100m was 10.78sec. That would come as little surprise to those who have witnessed the Fijian flyer’s lightning speed.
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Having been pencilled in as a future Wests Tigers NRL player, 2011 is about learning the game of rugby league as Marika settles into the demanding Sydney lifestyle.
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“I enjoy being in the team. All of the boys have made feel welcome. Playing rugby league in Sydney is very different. Everything is new to me,’’ Marika said.
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“Sydney is very busy. Everyone is in a hurry. Cars are going everywhere and the weather is very cold at the moment.”
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Wests Tigers U20s Manager and Club Welfare Manager Tony Carson said Marika was still learning the team’s style of play.
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“Marika is quick, aggressive and has got plenty of ability. He is raw but is developing all the time,’’ Carson said.
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“He is very popular with the boys and they are helping him.
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“Marika is studying a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation at the Australian Training Centre in Homebush. He also goes to local schools with Tony Ashton from Balmain ARLD to help run coaching clinics. It has been a big culture shock for him but he is handling it well.”
_By Wayne Cousins_
From the hills of Fiji to a packed Leichhardt Oval, it has been one massive transition for exciting young Wests Tigers winger Marika Koroibete.
>
Koroibete’s 7 tries in 7 games in the U20s competition this season has seen him become of the most talked about youngsters at Wests Tigers.
>
Two of his tries came in his debut against Souths in round 10 while Marika went within one try of equalling the club U20s record of four tries, set by James Tedesco, in bagging a hat-trick against the Bulldogs in round 16.
>
The quietly spoken winger was first spotted by Wests Tigers U20s Assistant Coach Joel Greig in the Fijian U18s team. From there, he was selected in the Fijian Open team and caught the eye of Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell and Wests Tigers U20s Coach Grant Jones. He was brought to Wests Tigers last summer.
>
“This is my third year playing rugby league. I played league for Nasinu Secondary School. We won the secondary schools competition last year. I use to play full-back,’’ Marika said.
>
Athletics was another sport at which Marika excelled, often winning the 100 and 200 metres at school and regional carnivals. He claims his best time over 100m was 10.78sec. That would come as little surprise to those who have witnessed the Fijian flyer’s lightning speed.
>
Having been pencilled in as a future Wests Tigers NRL player, 2011 is about learning the game of rugby league as Marika settles into the demanding Sydney lifestyle.
>
“I enjoy being in the team. All of the boys have made feel welcome. Playing rugby league in Sydney is very different. Everything is new to me,’’ Marika said.
>
“Sydney is very busy. Everyone is in a hurry. Cars are going everywhere and the weather is very cold at the moment.”
>
Wests Tigers U20s Manager and Club Welfare Manager Tony Carson said Marika was still learning the team’s style of play.
>
“Marika is quick, aggressive and has got plenty of ability. He is raw but is developing all the time,’’ Carson said.
>
“He is very popular with the boys and they are helping him.
>
“Marika is studying a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation at the Australian Training Centre in Homebush. He also goes to local schools with Tony Ashton from Balmain ARLD to help run coaching clinics. It has been a big culture shock for him but he is handling it well.”
