Schmidt excited for returning Koroibete as he details Skelton conversations

Sun, Aug 4, 2024, 3:41 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies backrow combines for a great team try

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is looking for winger Marika Koroibete to add valuable experience to their backline as they prepare to take on South Africa on August 10.

He also confirmed he has been in contact with Will Skelton about a potential return later in the year.

Tickets for the 2024 Wallabies home Test season are available here.

Koroibete is Schmdit's first overseas selection after selecting an Australian-based squad for the July series.

The winger was initially expected to retire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup but Schmidt revealed Koroibete has been itching for a return all year.

"It's not a sudden conversation (about his return), there's been a few and we felt that his experience will be useful against these guys," he told reporters.

"Part of Marika's job in this group is to share that experience with some of the younger guys with a young set of back three players in this week like Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen.

"He's a very likeable character and a very easy-going character unless you mark him."

Schmidt named a 36-player squad for the two Tests against the Springboks and admitted there had been talks with former captain Skelton about a call-up either later in the Rugby Championship or for the Spring Tour.

"We've had a few discussions and he's great to talk to. He watched our games and we've chatted about him potentially being involved later in the championship so it's all quite open-ended at the moment," he said.

"The last I spoke to (Will) he's on holiday with his family so it's a difficult time to suddenly start thinking about joining a team. There's also been the complications of getting him back to and from France because this window is not a normal Test window in the northern hemisphere.

"It just becomes a little complicated from that perspective and as good as Will is with the experience he has, if he arrives here and he's fatigued and he goes back there fatigued, it's not necessarily going to add the amount of value we'd like it to add.

Ultimately, Schmidt's focus remains on building a squad centred around the homegrown talent playing in Super Rugby.

"They've been really supportive of the younger, locally based guys that were brought in and are also willing to step in should we feel that's the best decision for the team," he added.

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