‘Killed a man’: Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete showered with praise for try-saving tackle

Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete has been showered with praise for an “astounding” match-saving tackle against South Africa.

Makazole Mapimpi of the Springboks is tackled by Marika Koroibete of the Wallabies. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Australian winger Marika Koroibete has been showered with praise for an “astounding” match-saving tackle during Saturday afternoon’s 25-17 victory over South Africa at Adelaide Oval.

The Wallabies were leading by seven points in the 38th minute when South Africa spread the ball out to Makazole Mapimpi on the left wing.

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But as Mapimpi sprinted towards the corner flag, Koroibete steamed across the tryline and barged into the Springboks back, who dropped the footy.

Koroibete, later announced Player of the Match, was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates after the vicious tackle, with replays prompting a raucous response from the 36,336 Adelaide locals.

“The tackle had to be made,” he said after the victory.

“We had one man down, we had to cover the short side and the other side as well.

“I just put my body on the line for the boys there. I was lucky enough to make a try-saving tackle today.”

It proved a defining moment in the contest, with the South Africans failing to score a try in the first half.

“It was like he was shot out of a cannon, extraordinary,” former All Blacks star Andrew Mehrtens told Stan Sport.

Makazole Mapimpi of the Springboks is tackled by Marika Koroibete of the Wallabies. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Koroibete dominated in all facets of the game, from attack to defence and even the kick-chase.

“Test match rugby, it’s built on big moments, and normally the team that wins goes well in those big moments and we had quite a few in the back end of the first half,” Wallabies captain James Slipper said.

“This group, I’ve said it a lot of times, it’s got a lot of character. It’s just about consistently performing and that’s probably our biggest challenge now is to back that effort up next week in Sydney.”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy tweeted: “Koroibete just killed a man.”

ABC’s Beth Newman posted: “The Wallabies are so lucky to have Marika Koroibete. Superstar.”

ESPN’s Brittany Mitchell tweeted: “Holy s***, Marika Koroibete! That was astounding. Defies belief.”

Koroibete. You cannot do that!!!!!
What a tackle! #AUSvsRSA 😱

— Josh Gilbert (@JoshG_eToro) August 27, 2022

That Koroibete tackle will be up with the Gregan and Rodriguez tackles in #Wallabies folklore if Australia win this #AUSvRSA

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) August 27, 2022

Got a feeling we’ll be watching that tackle from Marika in promos and highlight reels for many years to come. And I’m all for it. 😀💪Unbelievable! #AUSvRSA

— Murray Shaw (@MurrayShaw1) August 27, 2022

The Wallabies held their nerve to survive the final couple of minutes and return to the sheds still ahead 10-3.

But Koroibete’s heroics didn’t end there, with the 30-year-old diving over for Australia’s second try of the afternoon less than 10 minutes after the interval.

And not long after, Brumbies phenom Noah Lolesio set up Fraser McReight’s second try of the day in a gorgeous set piece from the back of a ruck, giving the Wallabies a 25-3 lead.

Springboks flanker Kwagga Smith dived over for a consolation try in the 75th minute, but it was too little too late for the visitors.

It was undeniably one of the Wallabies’ most complete performances in years, temporarily putting the Australians atop of the Rugby Championship ladder.
The Wallabies lost five lineouts and conceded a couple of scrum penalties, but they were small errors in an otherwise flawless outing.

South Africa still has not beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 2013.

Originally published as ‘Killed a man’: Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete showered with praise for try-saving tackle