Marika Koroibete is ‘killing it’ in his switch to rugby, fellow league convert Karmichael Hunt says.
Koroibete has become a regular starter in recent Tests and had close to his best game for the Wallabies against England, both in attack and defence.
Hunt rates the former Storm winger as one of the fastest players he’s ever seen and said that Twickenham outing proved his quality.
"It's the best I've seen,” he said.
“His pace and speed, I don't think I've seen anyone quicker off the mark.
“He's tough as well and I like that about him as well.
“He'll come off his mark and he'll look to hurt people. He's the complete package for a winger.”
Hunt came to the 15-man game from league, via AFL, and said that switch was trickier, but his new teammates was taking huge strides in returning to rugby.
“The transition from AFL to union would be harder than league to union, with the difference in games and what's required,” he said.
“Marika is just killing it.”
“Everyone loves playing with him and he gives 100 per cent every time.”
Hunt said Koroibete’s value came off the field as well, with the shy Fijian coming out of his shell in a year spent as part of the Wallabies fold.
“He's a guy you want to play football with,” he said.
“I don't think there are any of the boys that would say a bad word against him. He's such a good guy.”
Koroibete’s defence has been one of his trademarks, something that is a must-have for league wingers, who face more of the action in that space.
“You don't survive league unless you are tough,” he said.
“He played footy pretty well for the Storm so there is a bit of league in his DNA.”
Both Hunt and Koroibete are experiencing the variances in northern hemisphere rugby for the first time this tour, and Hunt said that was something he was relishing.
“You're always going to get thrown something different, especially up north,” he said.
“They kick a lot up here our preparation and our focus changes, particularly when you play the NZ teams.
“It's definitely spices things up.
“You're always going to get the battles in league where it's a huge physical contest and you have to pick teams apart with different plays.
“But rugby union has so many different facets to it.”
Australia takes on Scotland on Saturday November 25, kicking off at 2:30pm local, Sunday 1:30am AEDT, LIVE on beIN Sports and SBS Viceland.
