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Marika Koroibete’s international career could be over after the two-time John Eales medalist was ruled out of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies tour of England on Tuesday.
Koroibete had told his team-mates he would retire after the World Cup, but with the sour taste of that failure under Eddie Jones, the 63-Test winger decided to move on under Schmidt.
The former NRL star has been Schmidt’s only overseas pick in domestic international competition this year, but he has struggled for form and has been hampered by injuries. Koroibete returned to Japan to play for the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
Marika Koroibete of the Australian Wallabies takes a break during the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on September 21, 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Schmidt will have two international players in his 34-man squad, World Cup captain Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi.
“To be honest, he’s taking a break,” Schmidt said of Koroibete. “He probably felt he wasn’t playing at his best. And I felt a little lethargic after the season.
“He needs to get back to Panasonic and train as soon as possible, so he will take a break and then get back to it.
“He is not a player we own. And that’s one of the flexibility these players need. It’s a flexibility we’ve tried with Samu and Will as well.”
Schmidt is well-equipped on the outside and has been boosted by the first call-ups of Josep-Aukuso Suaali and Harry Potter, while Tim Ryan is out through injury.
“It’s also part of our policy to try to grow local players,” Schmidt said.
“Without Marika, I thought Dylan Pietsch was at his best in the last Test in Wellington. He did a great job on both sides of the ball.
Wallabies’ Dylan Pietsch makes a tackle during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
“It’s about trying to build confidence in our players. His relationship with Marika over that period of time has been almost by osmosis, with experienced players coming in and giving confidence and developing other players.”
Schmidt didn’t bite when asked if this could be the end of Koroibete’s career.
“Discussions will probably take place in March or April of next year,” Schmidt said.
“We will see how he does. I watch his Panasonic games. I know Robbie Deans well, so I can talk to Robbie too and see how he’s tracking.
“At the same time, some young wingers came along and started to put pressure on us. We hope they come and put enough pressure on us. “It’s a time of such pressure for Marika and it’s a really difficult decision for us.”
Skelton has faced public criticism over his willingness to wear the Wallaby jersey, which Schmidt is unhappy about.
Schmidt expects Skelton and Kerevi to be available for all of the first three Tests within the international window. This means they can play England, Wales and Scotland, but not Ireland.
Asked about Skelton’s thoughts on next year’s Lions tour, Schmidt responded: “He is as sensitive as mustard.
“He doesn’t need any convincing to play for the Wallabies. That was my impression from the first time I spoke to him and the first time he contacted me. He is a really positive character and has gravitas within the group.
“Obviously he was captain last year and he got injured. I saw him play La Rochelle-Bordeaux on Monday morning, where he played 60 minutes and had some great performances.
“I cut out a few and sent them to him to keep him positive. That conversation has been going on for some time.
“To be honest, we have never talked about the Lions. I think we’ve always said we focus on the short term, especially with the players. As a coaching group, we are long-term planners. I know it’s paradoxical, but coaches are always like that. Because we have to.
“If Will and Samu are not involved in this window, I think it will be very difficult to get them involved for the Lions.”
