AUSTRALIA rugby winger Marika Koroibete thanked his family especially his wife Emma Whippy for her never ending support towards his rugby career.
The former Melbourne Storm player is in the country with his family for the holidays.
Koroibete said as he prepared for the 2019 Rugby World Cup his wife was by his side and supporting him with their two boys in Japan.
“I am deeply grateful to them for coming all the way to Japan despite the long flight they still managed to come over and support me. Even though we didn’t get the result that we wanted but seeing them there took away the entire burden,” he said.
Marika, who was born and raised in Fiji first made his name as a star in the National Rugby League.
He played six seasons in the NRL, three each with the Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm.
In just 74 first grade games he scored an impressive 46 tries.
In May 2016 the flying winger announced a move to the 15-a-side game after he signed with the Melbourne Rebels.
Later that year Koroibete was a surprise selection for the end-of-season Spring Tour.
He was named in the Wallabies squad for their end-of-year tour to Europe even though he did not play in the Test matches but gained his first appearance playing for the Australia XV side against the French Barbarians team in Bordeaux.
“Experience wise playing for my first World Cup is unbelievable; I had set my plans a few years ago and this year I executed all my plans.
“Even though we didn’t get what we were looking forward to but I was pretty happy with my performance but that’s all over now I am spending the holidays with my family and enjoying every bit of it.”
For the Naraiyawa Namosi lad his wait proved more than worthwhile when he exploded on to the international scene halfway through the 2017 Rugby Championship and played his maiden Test against Argentina in Canberra.
Then he was given his first start against South Africa in Bloemfontein and scoring a double. He finished the year with eight Test caps to his name.
In 2018 he started on the wing in 11 of his 12 Tests, scored three tries, and only missed the 6-9 loss to Wales in Cardiff.
He will return to Australia on the 16 of December.
