OSPREYS: Wallaby Koroibete signs as Australian recruitment drive continues

Marika Koroibete has signed for the Ospreys, the region confirmed on Thursday.

The Australia wing has won 63 caps for the Wallabies and is a two-time winner of the John Eales Medal, awarded to the best Australian rugby union player of the year, taking it in 2019 and 2022.

A dual-code player who came to union from rugby league, he becomes the region’s third Australian international signing of the summer and its fourth international arrival overall.

Head coach Mark Jones said the signing spoke to the club’s continued pull.

“I think I speak for everyone involved with the club when I say how happy we are to have added such an explosive talent to our squad. I think it says a lot about the club that we are still able to attract overseas players of his calibre,” Jones said.

“This is a signing that we believe will get our supporters up out of their seats. Koroibete is a name that is respected throughout the game and we are extremely excited to have him turning out in an Ospreys jersey.”

What appealed as much as the rugby, the head coach said, was what came with it.

“Most importantly, he came with glowing references, not only in what he offers on the pitch, but also in his history as a mentor to the players around him,” Jones said.

“We feel his experience will be extremely beneficial to our youngsters and will have a real ripple effect on their development over the next few years.”

Koroibete said the club’s history of overseas signings had been part of the draw.

“I’m really happy to be joining the Ospreys. I’ve heard some great things from the boys here already about the team and the environment, so I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“The Ospreys are a club known around the world, with a rich history. Some incredible overseas players have played here, Jerry Collins, Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, the list goes on.

“It’s a real privilege to be joining this club and to be following in the footsteps of some greats of the game.”

He also had a conversation with Jones about what would be expected of him beyond his own performances.

“I spoke to Mark prior to making my decision and he was very clear in what he expects of me in my work on the pitch and my work off it,” Koroibete said.

“There are some young, high-potential players in this squad and if I can play a part in helping them to reach the next level of their game, then that is something I will take pride in doing.”

His arrival completes a summer of Australian recruitment. Wallaby captain Liam Wright joined from the Queensland Reds in June, centre Lalakai Foketi followed days later, and fly-half Lawson Creighton arrived from the New South Wales Waratahs.

Wales back Tom Rogers has also signed from the Scarlets, while Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan left for Gloucester.

The recruitment comes at a precarious moment for the region. The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed in July that Cardiff and the Dragons are guaranteed licences under its plan to cut Wales to three professional clubs, leaving the Ospreys and the Scarlets competing for the last place in the west, with no decision due until spring 2027.

The club has made its case publicly, setting out its signings, a rebuilt St Helen’s and membership sales beyond expectations under the heading “invest, build, compete, win”.

There has been change in the boardroom too, with Alun Wyn Jones set to join the board as a director.

The Ospreys get their pre-season under way against Coventry at the Nick Newbold Stadium on Friday 4 September, 7.30pm kick-off, a crucial warm-up before their United Rugby Championship season opens away to the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on 26 September.

Their first home fixture of the campaign, at a redeveloped St Helen’s, is against the Dragons on 24 October.