Wallabies star Marika Koroibete offered multimillion-dollar Japan deal
Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana has opened the door for Wallabies flyer Marika Koroibete to make millions in Japan. Check out all the latest union goss in RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL.
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Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights are attempting to lure reigning John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete with a stunning four-year, $3 million contract.
Koroibete is contracted to Rugby Australia and Melbourne Rebels for 2021.
However, with RA looking to save costs, Koroibete may be granted a release.
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They already have Melbourne Storm flyer Suliasi Vunivalu on their books for next season, while fellow Fijian Filipo Daugunu has emerged as a star on the wing after his impressive Test debut last weekend against the All Blacks.
RA may also opt to keep open their option of selecting two overseas-based players who don’t qualify under the 60-Test Giteau Law alive next year, and bring Koroibete back for Test matches, although they’ve stated the loophole will only be available for the 2020 Test season.
Panasonic, coached by former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans, had signed Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana for this year. However, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the Top League and Rapana returned to the Green Machine. Rapana and Vunivalu will play against each other on Friday night in the NRL final between the Storm and Raiders.
Rapana’s return opened a wing spot and Panasonic want Koroibete, who was the Wallabies’ best player last year and scored a crucial try against the All Blacks on Sunday in the shock draw in Wellington.
SUPER DOOPER
We could see 20 weeks of Super Rugby next year, as Australia and New Zealand plan for the potential of another season without inbound Tests from the north.
It’s believed that as part of the deal struck between RA and New Zealand Rugby, allowing the All Blacks to play in Sydney on October 31 so they wouldn’t be in hotel quarantine on Christmas Day, the Kiwis agreed to the trans-Tasman Super Rugby proposal for 2021.
That would entail a 10-week Super Rugby AU tournament, running in tandem with the Aotearoa competition, before another 10 week crossover tournament. That would play through until August, when a revised Rugby Championship could be staged.
With the British & Irish Lions set to tour South Africa, and COVID-19 still causing travel havoc with no signs it will be resolved in 2021, the Wallabies and All Blacks could find themselves playing another four times next year. If neither country can lure France for a series, Japan and Fiji loom as options for other Tests.
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Argentina look likely to remain in a Rugby Championship style tournament, but many expect the world champion Springboks to join the northern unions next year.
MAGIC POTION
Shannon Parry is attempting to pull off a Cooper Cronk this weekend and play in the Jack Scott Cup grand final despite being told a fortnight ago her ankle injury would sideline her for up to two months.
The Olympic gold medal-winning sevens rugby star will have a fitness test on Friday afternoon with Rugby Australia officials, in a last-ditch effort to play for Randwick Magic against Sydney University on Saturday.
Uni defeated Magic 22-7 two weeks ago in a finals match, a game in which Parry badly rolled her ankle. Doctors told the 30-year-old she’d be out for six to eight weeks.
Magic rebounded to defeat Warringah last weekend, earning the right to face Uni in the grand final.
In a stunning development this week, Parry – who could not run on Tuesday – was able to do a 5km jog on Wednesday and is now desperate to play in the decider.
It’s understood that Magic would allow her to have a similar role to Cronk, who famously helped NRL club Sydney Roosters to the premiership last year with a broken shoulder.
Parry would essentially direct her teammates from behind the attacking line, and play on the edges of the rucks in defence.
She still can’t change directions on her injured foot, only able to run forward, so Aussie sevens staff will monitor her progress on Friday before making a call on her fitness.
Magic could certainly use Parry’s experience – Uni have not lost a game in three seasons.
Originally published as Wallabies star Marika Koroibete offered multimillion-dollar Japan deal