Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete believes he has improved his game and is ready to show head coach Michael Cheika that he is ready to step up this weekend.
The former Rugby League star who has worked his way through the Rugby Union system and ended up at the top of the game with the Melbourne Rebels believes he understands the game better now.
“My understanding of the game; it’s something that I’ve learnt a lot from when I came on in 2017. It was like just ‘play the game’, now I understand it a bit more, how to work smart instead of just walking around (using my) energy up. Picking the right time to work hard, not just run around for the sake of it, or for the GPS (running and workload statistics),” he said.
Koroibete missed last weekend’s 35-17 loss against the Springboks due to the birth of his second child, with Reece Hodge and Dane Haylett-Petty starting on the wings.
However, the Fijian-born star has been working hard in the background and is ready to show how good he is and force his way into the team.
“I’m working with (Wallabies strength and conditioning guru) Dean Benton, who’s helping me a lot with my speed, power, endurance. Hopefully I get some game time to show my potential, show what I’ve got. There’s a lot of competition, I just want to get a chance and give all I’ve got,” he added.
The Wallabies look set to switch things up for their clash with the Pumas this week with Koroibete hoping to add to his 20 caps, while utility back James O’Connor is in with a shout of playing some role too.
Argentina will probably introduce many of their overseas stars after playing most of their Jaguares contingent last weekend, with both teams needing a win with the Wallabies only winning two of their last seven Rugby Championship matches, while the Pumas have not won their last six tests.
If Koroibete is given a chance and impresses then a place on the plane to Japan will look more possible than ever before.
