![Baptism of fire: Marika Koroibete.](/web/20161125134343im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/x/h/8/5/image.related.landscape.460x307.gsx60k.png/1480068153088.jpg)
Koroibete shows potential in Wallaby XV loss
Former NRL winger Marika Koroibete was unable to properly showcase his skills in his first professional rugby union match as a Wallaby XV came up short.
Tom Decent is a journalist with Fairfax Media.
Former NRL winger Marika Koroibete was unable to properly showcase his skills in his first professional rugby union match as a Wallaby XV came up short.
Michael Cheika says there will be plenty on the line when the Wallabies take on Ireland this weekend – not least the opportunity to keep their grand slam dream alive – but insists his men need to play even better than they have done so far on the spring tour.
The Wallabies do not face England until next weekend but Eddie Jones has already lit the fuse by suggesting Argentina were the second best team in the Rugby Championship despite the final ladder suggesting otherwise.
Michael Cheika has brought back his stars and opted for a back row reshuffle against Ireland with Dean Mumm returning to the starting XV at No.6 alongside Michael Hooper and No.8 David Pocock.
Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne says the most pleasing thing about his short time in the national set-up thus far has been the desire of Australian players to embrace the "daunting" task of changing their techniques in the middle of a Test season.
Will Skelton has been named as captain of the Wallaby XV and Marika Koroibete start on the wing in his first game of rugby since high school when the Australians take on the French Barbarians in Boredeaux on Thursday (Friday AEDT).
Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen had come to the conclusion he would never represent an Australian team again until he received a call out of the blue from Michael Cheika.
After a week of rest on the sidelines, Wallabies midfielder Reece Hodge doesn't think he is a certainty to line up at inside-centre against Ireland despite being in with a chance of equalling a 32-year try-scoring record.
Kane Douglas says the Wallabies culture has changed considerably since the infamous Dublin drinking incident three years ago and has assured there will be no similar slip-ups this time around.
Michael Cheika was feeling somewhat nostalgic when he arrived in Ireland this week but has instantly pushed such feelings to one side, warning the Wallabies face their toughest match of the spring tour on Saturday.
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