Marika Koroibete’s short-lived Wallaby exile is poised to end as Australia look to summon their strongest side for Saturday’s make-or-break Bledisloe Cup showdown against New Zealand.
Koroibete, 29, was cut from the squad for the first Test after he and his Melbourne Rebels team-mates, Isi Naisarani and Pone Fa’amausili, carried on drinking past curfew a week out from the game.
The Wallabies went on to lose 33-25 at Eden Park this past Saturday despite a valiant comeback attempt in the closing minutes, leaving the All Blacks 80 minutes from retaining the Bledisloe Cup.
Replacement winger Andrew Kellaway impressed in his first Test start and produced the opening try in Auckland, but stalwart Koroibete is likely to be recalled by coach Dave Rennie.
Full-back Tom Banks came up with two second-half tries of his own against Ian Foster’s men, but the visiting team ultimately came up short in blustery conditions.
Australia captain Michael Hooper said in the build-up to the series opener that the axed Wallabies trio had been “superb” in their reactions after being dropped.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto started in the first Test loss to New Zealand and welcomed the return of the trio, whom he felt had served a sufficient punishment for their drinking escapades.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Queensland Red said: "Guys like Marika and those other boys, they've worked hard over the past week and a bit. As a playing group, (we feel) they're good men who made poor decisions and we know that.
"We've been building this culture for the best part of two years now under Dave and his guidance and we have no problem with telling each other off or poking each other in the chest.
"Marika works extremely hard and everyone knows that. I'm sure the fans know that at home, how hard he works, so you could only imagine how gutted he was.
"So for us as a playing group, we accept their apology.”
Koroibete is one of the most prolific assets at Australia’s disposal, with 14 tries from his 35 caps to date.
The All Blacks host their trans-Tasman rivals again at Eden Park, where the visitors must break a 35-year hoodoo if they’re to have a chance at winning the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.
In the event Australia are able to level the scoreline with a historic win in Auckland, the two teams will be primed for a Bledisloe decider at Optus Stadium in Perth on August 28.
Koroibete isn’t the only star in line for a recall after The Age reported centre Samu Kerevi will rejoin the squad in time for the third Test following his commitments at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Kerevi, 27, hasn’t represented the Wallabies since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, having signed a deal with Japanese outfit Suntory Sungoliath following that tournament.
Rennie is expected to name the midfielder as one of two permitted exemptions to the ‘Giteau Law’, which prevents the Wallabies from calling up overseas-based players with fewer than 60 caps.
Saturday’s second Test will also serve as the opening game of the 2021 Rugby Championship, with South Africa hosting Argentina later that same day.
