Koro's return to WTs training may be delayed, visa bungle.

[innsaneink]

**Marika Koroibete's return to Wests Tigers training may be delayed by visa bungle**


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/marika-koroibetes-return-to-wests-tigers-training-may-be-delayed-by-visa-bungle-20140104-30anz.html#ixzz2pTkudula
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An incomplete visa form has led to complications for Wests Tigers flyer Marika Koroibete and could delay his return to Australia before pre-season training on Monday.

Fairfax Media understands a paperwork bungle held up Koroibete in England as he tried to leave the country following the recent World Cup, where he played for Fiji. He has since returned to Fiji and is expected to report for Tigers training at Concord Oval when pre-season training resumes on Monday.

The club sponsors Koroibete's visa and Tigers officials are confident the visa is a mere formality, but only once paperwork is lodged. It is unknown if that has happened. Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said he was confident Koroibete would return on Monday once his leave ended.

''Our expectation is that Marika will be back with the squad on January 6,'' Mayer said. ''We understand that he has had some issues in regards to getting his visa approved.
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''We've certainly assisted where and when possible and look forward to welcoming him back along with the full squad on January 6.''

The 21-year-old has been a revelation on the Tigers flank since scoring four tries in his second top-grade game in 2012\. Injuries plagued his second season, highlighted by a dislocated elbow and a fractured cheekbone, which restricted him to nine games.

Koroibete had been granted an extended leave from pre-season training after featuring for Fiji in their semi-final loss to Australia. The Tigers' other World Cup players, including recruits Pat Richards and Keith Lulia, as well as internationals James Tedesco and Joel Luani, returned to training before Christmas.

Skipper Robbie Farah is not required back at training until the middle of January, having featured in Australia's opening three pool games before losing his bench spot to Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.

The bulk of NRL teams return to pre-season training on Monday. Newcastle and Brisbane returned last Friday.

After finishing the 2013 season second from bottom, the Tigers hope a younger generation of players are able to turn things around. Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses and Curtis Sironen will carry added responsibility following the departure of Benji Marshall to Super Rugby franchise the Blues.

Recruits Martin Taupau, Cory Paterson and Blake Austin will push for time in the top grade, while the return of Dene Halatau will provide much-needed experience.

Lote Tuqiri, Joel Reddy, Blake Ayshford and Eddy Pettybourne joined Marshall in leaving the club at the end of last year. The Tigers meet St George Illawarra in round one of the NRL season.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/marika-koroibetes-return-to-wests-tigers-training-may-be-delayed-by-visa-bungle-20140104-30anz.html#ixzz2pTkoZ9p7

 

[pHyR3]

why does robbie get such a long break??

 

[system]

why does robbie get such a long break??

Was thinking the same thing. Cherry Evans & Foran were back for Manly before Christmas despite playing in a finals series & World Cup.

Sends the wrong message to the younger guys.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[T-REXX]

Maybe cause Robbie has had SOO as well.

Only a guess

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[system]

Maybe cause Robbie has had SOO as well.

Only a guess

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

Cherry Evans played State of Origin as well as a whole finals series.

Poor form from our "leader"

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[pHyR3]

why does robbie get such a long break??

Was thinking the same thing. Cherry Evans & Foran were back for Manly before Christmas despite playing in a finals series & World Cup.

Sends the wrong message to the younger guys.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

i suppose he could be nursing a niggling injury and they actually meant he was in rehab.

also, he may have some kind of other commitments but I cant really think of what that could possibly be….

he seems a hard worker though, im sure he has a good reason and it probably trying to keep up with fitness and everything as best he can

 

[palms]

Farah is also a lot older then those boys mentioned. With Farah having played a full schedule in '13 it's only logic he's given a week or two longer off. Relax

 

[happy_tiger]

Who caresf Robbie is coming back a bit latter than other players

If it freshens him up a bit and he comes back as fit as the other players it means nothing

Maybe you could look at it another way

The message could be taken as this When you play SOO , get NSW players player and represent your country , you can have extra time off at the start of the season

There is something to aim for

 

[greatodensraven]

Who caresf Robbie is coming back a bit latter than other players

If it freshens him up a bit and he comes back as fit as the other players it means nothing

Maybe you could look at it another way

The message could be taken as this When you play SOO , get NSW players player and represent your country , you can have extra time off at the start of the season

There is something to aim for

x 2!!

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I don't know… I think it sets a poor example. I'm sure there's players from other clubs who've played the whole year including rep footy and are already back. What about Gallen, Smith, Bird, Parker, Cronk, Thurston? Are they back yet? They're all around the same age as Farah, and if they're all back at training I would say that Farah should probably be as well.

 

[happy_tiger]

I don't know… I think it sets a poor example. I'm sure there's players from other clubs who've played the whole year including rep footy and are already back. What about Gallen, Smith, Bird, Parker, Cronk, Thurston? Are they back yet? They're all around the same age as Farah, and if they're all back at training I would say that Farah should probably be as well.

My concern is he had long season this season and as captain has far more commitments than the average player

He seemed stale at times in 2013 and if we are going to make a serious challenge at the Top 8 we need Robbie playing his best football

The club will have him doing a scaled back pre season anyway , so I really can't see the issue

He gave an interview from a pre season training session not that long ago so he must be attending some sessions

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I don't know… I think it sets a poor example. I'm sure there's players from other clubs who've played the whole year including rep footy and are already back. What about Gallen, Smith, Bird, Parker, Cronk, Thurston? Are they back yet? They're all around the same age as Farah, and if they're all back at training I would say that Farah should probably be as well.

My concern is he had long season this season and as captain has far more commitments than the average player

He seemed stale at times in 2013 and if we are going to make a serious challenge at the Top 8 we need Robbie playing his best football

The club will have him doing a scaled back pre season anyway , so I really can't see the issue

**He gave an interview from a pre season training session not that long ago so he must be attending some sessions**

You would think that they would have him involved in group discussions and such being the captain. I concede if they are giving him time off it would be most likely from heavy training.

I suppose I can also concede that unlike he who shall not be named, Farah has probably earned his extra break, whereas the other bloke spent 26 weeks not wanting to be tackled with the ball and didn't warrant the special dispensation he always seemed to receive.

 

[supercoach]

Very smart move to give Farah a decent break. I have seen it so often where the big names have a very ordinary year on the back of a end of year tour. The season is so long now,their are no easy games.

 

[Guest]

I have no dramas at all with Farah being given a little longer to rest. Hopefully Marika made it to training today. I would love to see him start the season well.

 

[tigersrule4life]

I have no problem with and extended break he has a big year coming up for wests tigers and nsw.

 

[innsaneink]

Wests Tigers winger Marika Koroibete failed to return to pre-season training with the rest of the side on Monday morning.

He was due to return from extended leave granted after playing for Fiji in the World Cup in November, but his tardiness in reapplying for a visa has delayed his arrival until at least the end of the week.

Tigers' officials had to resort to Koroibete's Instagram account to trace and contact the absent player.

The winger then sent a text message from Fiji to coach Michael Potter on Monday to inform him of the delay, saying Australian immigration was waiting for a copy of his private healthcare policy before approving a new visa.
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The club sponsors the Fijian's stay in Australia and Fairfax Media understands officials had done all the necessary paperwork at their end. It was left to Koroibete to lodge the paperwork but he has delayed doing so.

The club expects him to arrive by Thursday and he faces heavy sanctions if he does not show up by the end of this week. Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said the club had done everything it could to ensure Koroibete's stay in Australia would be extended.

"We have provided everything we can to make it easy for Marika to get back into Australia," Mayer said. "It seems that he hasn't been as meticulous as perhaps he should have been, but it appears he will be back in the country by Thursday."

Koroibete was one of a handful of Fijian players based in Australia who were unable to return here with the rest of the side after the World Cup and he flew from London to Fiji instead.

Communication in Koroibete's village of Navaiyawa is erratic. There is only one landline telephone in the village.

The 21-year-old has been a revelation on the Tigers' flank since scoring four tries in his second top-grade game in 2012\. His second season was plagued by injuries, especially a dislocated elbow and a fractured cheekbone that restricted him to nine games.

The rest of the squad - minus captain Robbie Farah, who has been granted an extended break after the World Cup - returned to pre-season training at Concord Oval on Monday. Mayer said the squad had trained well.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm for their first day back," he said. "There will be fitness testing [on Tuesday] which is never an exciting time for the players."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-wests-tigers-fume-as-marika-koroibete-misses-preseason-training-due-to-visa-snag-20140106-30dmv.html#ixzz2peD3IPzN

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Homesick?

 

[NT_Tiger]

^That's my read!^

 

[Black_n_White]

Fiji runs…well, on Fiji time.

Its obviously not very professional of him, but I would not read too much into it. He just probably got home for a while and back into the rhythm of the place. It is amazing how relaxed they are over there.

 

[Tim Sheens]

At least he sent a message to the coach, regardless of the reason behind the delay.