Ratu Marika Koribete signs with tigers

[Borat.]

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=157769


Dream call

Anare Ravula
Monday, October 11, 2010

+ Enlarge this image
Vodafone Fiji Residents captain Jone Wesele takes on Air Pacific Uprising Resort Australian Fijian winger Ratu Tagive during the final game of the national Fiji Bati trials at Ratu Cakobau Park. Picture: JONE LUVENITOGA


VODAFONE Fiji Bati team member Ratu Marika Koribete confirmed on Friday night that he will sign on with the West Tigers after the one-off Test match against Australia next week.
The 18-year-old Nasinu Secondary School team member said he would feature for the Tigers in the 2011 season.
He said it was a long-term decision.
"Yes, it's a dream come true for me," he added.
Normally known as 'Kwuaca na Vatu' as he is from Naraiyawa, Namosi, Koroibete is well known for his speed and strong defence.
His name was announced on Friday night in the 17-member squad under the guidance of Jo Dakuitoga and manager Mesake Navugona. Ratu Marika was invited by Newcastle Knights to attend pre-season training in last December but there were other clubs keen on his signature.
Fiji National Rugby League confirmed the interest shown by the Aussies, especially Akuila Uate's Knights.
FNRL general manager Steve McLellan said Koroibete's uncanny ability to score tries during the national Under 18 rugby team's tour to Australia earlier this year attracted a lot of interest Down Under.
Apart from the Knights, McLellan said Sydney Roosters, Illawarra Dragons, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs had shown interest in luring Koroibete to Australia.
"But I have made up my mind and confirmed my decision to sign on with the West Tigers in next season's competition," Ratu Marika said.
The Wests Tigers, coached by Tim Sheens and captained by Robbie Farah, is based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs.
They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Wests Tigers started playing in the 2000 NRL season and won their maiden premiership in 2005. Although this is the Wests Tigers' only NRL premiership to date, the club has a heritage of eleven premierships won by Balmain and four by Western Suburbs, both foundation clubs from the NSWRFL's creation in 1908.
The Wests Tigers also won the World Sevens in 2004.

 

[R2Coupe]

Well done Tigers, signing a great talent and beating off the approaches of several other clubs.

It seems players do want to come to the club which has been a huge turnaround for Wests and Balmain.

 

[andrew9148]

is this ratu tagive? or is this another bloke?

 

[macnaz]

Who the f**k did we sign ??:crazy: I read a sh*tload of long names and shorten names but still couldnt work out which one we friggin signed lol Who ever is was is fast and can defend
Tell ya story walking Beau me now thinks.



oohhh its this guy " Kwuaca " *fire Kwuaca* Well thats his new nickname now as far as im concerned lol.

 

[R2Coupe]

Different player to Ratu Tagive. A number of clubs were after him.

 

[851]

Who the f**k did we sign ??:crazy: I read a sh*tload of long names and shorten names but still couldnt work out which one we friggin signed lol Who ever is was is fast and can defend
Tell ya story walking Beau me now thinks.



oohhh its this guy " Kwuaca " *fire Kwuaca* Well thats his new nickname now as far as im concerned lol.

Lets hope Beau knows reggies.

 

[Borat.]

he is a Fijian..I wonder if this is our international /soo signing

 

[stormbati]

Great news, maybe he wants a chance to play with Lote.
The best bit is that he's already a Rugby League player and not poached from Union.
.

 

[roopy]

This guy was the star of the Fiji under 18s side that came over earlier this year and was undefeated in 3 games against SG Ball level opposition teams.
The Knights really wanted him.
Since then he forced his way into the Fiji test side for their game against a Bundy Cup selection last week.
He has 2 years of NYC availability.
His proper name is Marika Koroibete - 'Ratu' is a title for a member of a family of chiefs - the Fijian equivalent of 'Sir'.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Tigers also signed another fijian.

Big Taqele Naiyavoro a 6 foot 3 100kg plus winger from Otahuhu Leopards in Auckland.
Taqele played under Richie Blackmore as Otahuhu won everything this year.
Not sure how many years spent in NZ - but plenty of raw talent.
One more year in 20s.

Made NZ finalist Counties Manukau rep side which made national final and also made fiji nz side which went back to fiji to games didnt quite make fijian bati senior team.

 

[roopy]

This comment was made by a Fiji based Knights fan on a Knights forum.

This boy, Marika Koroibete is really a good athletic player, strong and powerful just like Uate. He has just officially signed for the West Tigers at the Fiji National Rugby League Office yesterday, and will be coming to Australia soon and i think we have just missed him. I have watched him play in the secondary school rugby grade, breaking tackles and taking three to four players as he runs. He is only 18 years old, but to see him beat the Fiji bati world cup players during the trials in Suva was amazing, and the fact that he is the only teenager in the Bati squad this year, just makes me sad to see that he has missed the chance to join us. He could be a perfect interchange for Akuila Uate and i am hundred percent sure, that Uate would really mould him and share his skills to him...as it is the case for evey fijian players playing overseas.

 

[innsaneink]

Sounds promising....hope he achieves his potential.
Sheens has been hanging to find anothe Noa Nadruku for years

 

[westie]

Shouldn't be long until Carr forces him to become Australian then.