Rebels to unleash Koroibete
The inclusion of the former National Rugby League star will continue the 24-year-old’s switch to Rugby with his much-anticipated debut for the Melbourne Rebels.
Koroibete showed positive signs when he made his first appearances in the 15-player code in the Wallaby XV loss to the French Barbarians in Bordeaux where he helped to set up the opening try with an offload and made several key tackles.
"[Koroibete’s] power, speed, and strength will suit the extra space available in the Tens format so we will provide him the opportunity in Brisbane to continue his re-introduction to Rugby in a competitive environment," Melbourne Rebels head coach Tony McGahan said.
"The Tour allowed Marika to transition to Rugby with the opportunity to learn and train aside the best players so we’re prepared to give him this unique opportunity ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season,"
The wing, who scored 46 tries in 74 appearances with the Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm in a five-year Rugby League career, said he was excited about playing at the Brisbane Tens.
"I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play for the Melbourne Rebels for the first time in a competitive tournament at the Brisbane Tens," Koroibete said.
"The previous Tour was a great opportunity to kick-off my Rugby journey but I’m excited to continue to develop my game, play with my new teammates and positively contribute to the Melbourne Rebels in 2017,"
Koroibete will be unleashed at the inaugural Brisbane Tens tournament which will feature 14 teams from around the world, including the ten Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams, along with the Bulls (South Africa), Toulon (France), Wild Knights (Japan) and Tonga.
The Rebels, drawn in Pool A, will play against the Chiefs and Wild Knights on the first day of competition before the first Australian derby of the tournament against the NSW Waratahs on Sunday morning.
The Melbourne Rebels will finalise their 18-player squad for the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens in January.
The Brisbane Global Rugby Tens will be held on February 11 and 12, 2017 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
