Ten months after telling teammates he was set to call time on his international career, Marika Koroibete is set to feature in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship campaign.
The 32-year-old, two-time John Eales Medallist told teammate Pone Fa’amausili following last year’s final World Cup pool match against Portugal that his time was up in the Wallabies jersey.
Yet, it always appeared that his “international retirement” was premature with his wife, Emma, asking former Wallabies manager Chris Webb what the 2024 Test campaign looked like before they had left France.
Now, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to welcome him back into the international fold.
The Roar understands the flying winger will be selected for their opening Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10.
Marika Koroibete is poised to be recalled by Joe Schmidt for the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It’s believed Koroibete will be the only foreign-based Wallaby in Schmidt’s initial TRC squad for the two home fixtures against the Boks, with the powerful winger set to be selected ahead of Darby Lancaster.
World Cup captain Will Skelton had been considered a “50-50” proposition, but the giant lock will remain in La Rochelle and was this week back in training following a marathon 24 months with the Top 14 heavyweight.
Although Skelton was due a break following his heavy workload last season, he signed a new four-year deal with Ronan O’Gara’s side last month and French clubs are starting to come down hard on foreign players financially.
Skelton could however still feature for the Wallabies later in the TRC campaign, with a two-Test tour of Argentina looming as a possible destination for his international return after missing the three July Tests.
Other foreign-based Wallabies like Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Richie Arnold never entered the selection picture.
The decision to select predominantly from home will allow Schmidt to gain a greater understanding of the talent and depth on offer in Australia ahead of next year’s vital British and Irish Lions series – the series the New Zealander is signed on until as Wallabies coach.
But it also leaves the door slightly ajar for Schmidt to look overseas should he deem it necessary.
Schmidt is unlikely to make wholesale changes for his TRC squad, which will be named at 2pm Thursday.
Wallabies captain Will Skelton won’t feature against the Springboks. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
As revealed by The Roar, injuries to Liam Wright (bicep) and Fraser McReight (thumb) will see the Reds duo miss the opening two Springboks fixtures in Brisbane and Perth.
Their absence will pave the way for Waratahs recruit Rob Leota to make his return from a hamstring injury.
It’s understood Luke Reimer, the hard Brumbies on-baller, is favoured for a call-up after spending time with Brumbies-based Wallabies in Canberra last week. But Rory Scott, the rising 23-year-old, is another who is being strongly thought of.
Elsewhere, Waratahs front-rowers Angus Bell and Dave Porecki aren’t yet in the selection picture as they continue their recoveries from lower leg injuries.
The duo, as well as Force recruit Brandon Paenga-Amosa, recently spent time packing down against one another and could all feature later in the TRC.
Jordan Petaia isn’t yet out of the selection picture either but won’t be named in the TRC squad as he continues his own recovery from injury.
Uncapped outside back Max Jorgensen, meanwhile, is another who is pressing for a recall and is poised to make his comeback via club footy for Randwick.
Jorgensen, 19, hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring for Randwick at North Sydney Oval in early May.
The Wallabies will gather in Brisbane on Saturday ahead of their TRC opener against the world champions.
The Springboks left South Africa on Wednesday and have 22 World Cup winners in their 33-man squad, including captain Siya Kolisi.
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