The start of a new Japanese rugby season will provide the Wallabies’ hierarchy with more than passing interest as the countdown to the British & Irish Lions tour begins.
Marika Koroibete, who was overlooked for Australia’s ‘grand slam’ tour and needs a big campaign with Saitama Wild Knights to put himself back in the frame, headlines the list of Australians gearing up for Japan Rugby League One, which kicks off on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Koroibete, whose Saitama coach is Robbie Deans, the last man to guide the Wallabies into a Lions series, took a while to warm up in his previous campaign.
Marika Koroibete. Photo: Panasonic Wild Knights
It was not until Koroibete’s sixth outing that he crossed the tryline. It was to be the first of eight tries which took his tally to 19 from 47 appearances since moving to Japan.
Both Deans and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be hoping for a greater output as last season’s finalists seek to go one better after their dramatic 24-20 loss to Brave Lupus Tokyo in the championship game.
Schmidt will also be keeping a close eye on Samu Kerevi, who was sent off in his latest appearance for Australia against Wales in Cardiff.
The 50-cap midfielder, whose experience could be invaluable in the cauldron of a Lions series, will be looking to put that disappointment behind him as he suits up for Division One newcomers Urayasu D-Rocks.
The season will also mark the rugby union debut of former Roosters centre Joseph Manu, a two-time NRL premiership winner.
Manu’s next steps beyond the two-year Japanese deal are unclear but he has shaped promisingly in the pre-season for the Steve Hansen-coached Toyota Verblitz.
Joseph Manu. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
With an Anzac XV and a team of First Nations and Pasifika heritage set to tackle the Lions, players like the New Zealand-born Manu, Quade Cooper, Rory Arnold and even Kerevi’s teammate at D-Rocks, Israel Folau, could come into consideration based on their form in Japan.
Scott Robertson will be closely watching Richie Mo’unga, with the All Blacks coach keen to renew their successful partnership from the Crusaders after the No.10 steered Brave Lupus to their first title since 2010 on debut last term.
Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers and Hansen’s Verblitz should be contenders after missing last season’s playoffs, which Rennie’s side would have made had the new six-team finals series been in place.
Former Queensland second-rower Harry Hockings, who is closing in on eligibility for Japan, will be a key figure for Tokyo Sungoliath, who also have ex-Wallaby Sean McMahon back on deck after injury.
Such is the growing attraction of Japanese rugby, some 11 past or present Springboks will also feature this season, including eight of this year’s Rugby Championship winners.
Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane and TJ Perenara lead a sizeable All Black brigade.
The expanding Japanese competition now features 26 teams after the addition of three new clubs, a far cry from other leagues, including Super Rugby, who have recently shed teams due to financial pressure.