Koroibete to miss Springboks Test in Wallabies shock

Marika Koroibete has been left out of the Wallabies team to take on world champions South Africa. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Marika Koroibete is the glaring omission from the Wallabies team to tackle the back-to-back world champion Springboks in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.

Coach Joe Schmidt used the Giteau Law to lure Koroibete back from Japan for the showdown but has opted against including the two-time John Eales Medallist even on the bench.

Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu will instead be the starting wingers at Suncorp Stadium as Schmidt lived up to his word of looking to the future.

"Marika wasn't quite ready," Schmidt said.

"This week was about orientating him and getting him back up to speed. I think Marika will be available beyond this week, but this week was a little bit too soon."

In seemingly unveiling his best available line-up, Schmidt has revealed Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio as his preferred halves pairing.

Queensland teammates Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh will come off the bench.

The fellow Reds midfield combination of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau will start in the centres, with in-form Tom Wright named at fullback for a fourth straight Test under Schmidt.

In the forwards, West Australian junior Carlo Tizzano will make his Test debut at openside flanker, joining Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson in the back row.

Tizzano comes in for the injured Fraser McReight, the latest to fall victim to the Wallabies' captain's curse.

"We just felt that Carlo would suit the combination that we picked in the back row and in the second row and so best complement that, really," Schmidt said.

"He's such a good young man and we're really excited about watching him. His energy is relatively positive, more than abrasive, but he fights for everything Carlo and that's what first caught our eye.

"He's quite a dynamic competitor around the breakdown and, in the context of losing Fraser, we needed someone who could bring elements of Fraser's game but probably not all of them.

"That's why we were picking Fraser before but it's a great opportunity for Carlo."

Allan Alaalatoa will again captain the side as the starting tighthead prop, combining with hooker Matt Faessler and Isaac Kailea in the front row.

Powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou wasn't considered following the death of his father this week. Nick Frost and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will start in the second row.

"There's a mix of continuity and freshness in the squad and the players have worked with good enthusiasm during the week, but we know there's still plenty to work on," Schmidt said. "We're conscious of the size of the challenge and the size of our opponents but there's a keenness in the player group to take a step forward.

"We've got to make sure that we match up at set piece because whatever you do against South Africa, you've got to be able to match up at set piece because that's where the whole thing starts."

Wallabies: Isaac Kailea, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa (capt), Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Res: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store