-
VODAFONE Fiji Bati team member Ratu Marika Koribete confirmed on Friday night that he will sign on with the West Tigers after the one-off Test match against Australia next week.
The 18-year-old Nasinu Secondary School team member said he would feature for the Tigers in the 2011 season.
He said it was a long-term decision.
“Yes, it’s a dream come true for me,” he added.
Normally known as ‘Kwuaca na Vatu’ as he is from Naraiyawa, Namosi, Koroibete is well known for his speed and strong defence.
His name was announced on Friday night in the 17-member squad under the guidance of Jo Dakuitoga and manager Mesake Navugona. Ratu Marika was invited by Newcastle Knights to attend pre-season training in last December but there were other clubs keen on his signature.
Fiji National Rugby League confirmed the interest shown by the Aussies, especially Akuila Uate’s Knights.
FNRL general manager Steve McLellan said Koroibete’s uncanny ability to score tries during the national Under 18 rugby team’s tour to Australia earlier this year attracted a lot of interest Down Under.
Apart from the Knights, McLellan said Sydney Roosters, Illawarra Dragons, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs had shown interest in luring Koroibete to Australia.
“But I have made up my mind and confirmed my decision to sign on with the West Tigers in next season’s competition,” Ratu Marika said.
The Wests Tigers, coached by Tim Sheens and captained by Robbie Farah, is based in Sydney’s mid-western suburbs.
They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Wests Tigers started playing in the 2000 NRL season and won their maiden premiership in 2005. Although this is the Wests Tigers’ only NRL premiership to date, the club has a heritage of eleven premierships won by Balmain and four by Western Suburbs, both foundation clubs from the NSWRFL’s creation in 1908.
The Wests Tigers also won the World Sevens in 2004.
–-----------------
I guess this guy is different to Ratu Tagive? -
Tim wont stop till he finds anothe Noa Nandruku….or was it kenny nagas?
-
Well TNT and Lote are not spring chickens anymore and if there is a chance he could keep Beau out of the NRL side than sign away
-
John Furguson I think it was innk…
-
So we’ve mentioned Noa Nadruku, Ken Nagas and John Ferguson……we can only hope
-
If i were Sheens i’d be telling him to follow Lote everywhere at training. What ever Lote does you do. He’s only 18 so we could groom him to be a real force in 2-3 years. And then again there is every chance that Tuiaki wont make it back.
-
If i were Sheens i’d be telling him to follow Lote everywhere at training. What ever Lote does you do. He’s only 18 so we could groom him to be a real force in 2-3 years. And then again there is every chance that Tuiaki wont make it back.
I agree, als no doubt he will get great mentoring from the senior players in the forwards, Robbie, Hino, Gareth.
might need to be warned about the pranksters
-
G’day Sabre, pretty sure they’re two different people. Ratu Tagive used to go under a different name (which I can’t spell) and played Rugby union for Randwick. He’s in the Johah Lomu mould and had an awesome “maori sidestep”. Saw him score five meat pies against Warringah one weekend, but not sure how much mongrel he’s got in him. Never heard of this new bloke tho.
-
These pieces sound promising…
Welcome Ratu Number2
-
Be interesting to see how he goes in the NYC next season. Hopefully he’s a quick learner.
-
There was a league tournament in Fiji last week involving players from home and abroad.
Daniel Fitzhenry was there, although I am not sure why… maybe he is a new Tigers talent scout?
-
Why am I not surprised that the Cocks were showing interest… I swear they’re always in the mix for every player on the market and every new talent.
-
@Cultured Bogan:
Why am I not surprised that the Cocks were showing interest… I swear they’re always in the mix for every player on the market and every new talent.
Not a bad thing u know…
u go for every player possible thats available and your sure to get one or two…
u go only after one or two a year and chances are u will miss out
-
There was a league tournament in Fiji last week involving players from home and abroad.
Daniel Fitzhenry was there, although I am not sure why… maybe he is a new Tigers talent scout?
One of the Tigers players (maybe Liam? not sure) was getting married in Fiji at the end of the season, could
be there for that.
It’s amazing what you overhear in the ladies room at the GF luncheon!
-
@Mrs T:
There was a league tournament in Fiji last week involving players from home and abroad.
Daniel Fitzhenry was there, although I am not sure why… maybe he is a new Tigers talent scout?
One of the Tigers players (maybe Liam? not sure) was getting married in Fiji at the end of the season, could
be there for that.
It’s amazing what you overhear in the ladies room at the GF luncheon!
Liam is getting married today based on Lotes Twitter account.
Recent Topics
