Marika Koroibete missing from Wallabies team to meet South Africa in Brisbane

Having been recalled into an extended Wallabies squad, a star player has not been selected to face South Africa on Saturday.

Marika Koroibete has been left out of Australia’s squad to play South Africa on Saturday. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for ARU

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said superstar winger Marika Koroibete “wasn’t quite ready” for Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Brisbane after being left out of the team despite having shelved plans of international retirement to play again.

The 32-year-old former Melbourne Rebels star, who has played his club rugby for Japanese team Saitama Wild Knights since 2021, was added to an extended Wallabies squad after not being in new coach Joe Schmidt’s plans for last month’s games against Wales and Georgia.

It was expected the 59-Test veteran would have been chosen for what’s shaping as a tough battle for the Australians against the reigning world champions.

Marika Koroibete put his hand up to play for the Wallabies again but missed selection. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for ARU)

However, Schmidt has opted for Filipo Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway as his wingers, with Koroibete not even being named on the bench, where the versatility of Dylan Pietsch has been preferred.
“Marika wasn’t quite ready,” Schmidt said on Thursday.

“This week was about orientating him, and getting him back up to speed. Marika will be available beyond this week but this week was a little bit too soon.

“Marika and I had a chat at the start of the week. For those guys who are fresh in this week, it’s a whole new language to learn, just to get them comfortable in the system, it’s just to give them enough time really.

“He’s fitted in really well. He’s a character, Marika, around about the place in a really positive sense, and he has a real sense of the game that allowed him to get involved at the right moments.

“He works ahead across the field. I’ve always thought coaching against him that he’s an absolute handful, so he’s a guy that we’ve got a lot of respect for.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made six changes to Australia’s starting team. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Schmidt has made six changes to the team that started in Australia’s 40-29 win over Georgia on July 20 in Sydney.

Flanker Carlo Tizzano will debut for the Wallabies, replacing the injured Fraser McReight.

Elsewhere in the forwards, hooker Matt Faessler comes in for Billy Pollard, and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto takes the spot of Angus Blyth.

Halves Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio have been recalled at the expense of Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson, while Kellaway comes in for winger Darby Lancaster.

McDermott has been named on a bench that includes a potential debutant, ACT Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer.

“There’s a mix of continuity and freshness in the squad, and the players have worked with good enthusiasm during the week, but we know there’s still plenty to work on,” Schmidt said.

“We’re conscious of the size of the challenge and the size of our opponents but there’s a keenness in the player group to take a step forward.”

Schmidt admitted the unavailability of intimidating prop Taniela Tupou due to a death in his family was a blow.

“Taniela is Taniela. He’s massively powerful, (but) at the same time, we’ve got to be able to build depth,” the Wallabies coach said.

“If we do lose someone, we’ve got to be able to best operate as a Wallabies squad, and not be overly reliant on individual players.”

Wallabies: Isaac Kailea, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Bench: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

Originally published as Marika Koroibete missing from Wallabies team to meet South Africa in Brisbane