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Watch: Marika Koroibete produces spectacular finish with aerial brilliance
By Kim Ekin
Star Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete has pulled off a spectacular aerial acrobatic finish with his latest try in the Japan Rugby League One for the Saitama Wild Knights.
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The Fijian-born flyer is renown for his speed and physical play but the Wallaby showed his incredible skill and vision to perfectly time a dive in order to squeeze a one-handed put down inside the corner flag.
With the Wild Knights taking a 14-7 lead, a bomb on a piece of counter-attack bounced fortuitously into the arms of Koroibete after fullback Ryuji Noguchi was able to bat back his own kick.
Toyota’s Kiwi flyhalf Tiaan Falcon was tasked with cutting the angle off for Koroibete but he was unable to catch him completely, while the Wild Knights’ wing timed his approach to leap out of bounds and place the ball inside the corner post.
Koroibete’s try gave the Wild Knights a comfortable 21-7 lead after 25 minutes, after tries to Springbok lock Lood de Jager and openside Itsuki Onishi.
World Rugby issued a clarification on this last year to say that diving to score in one movement is permitted, so Koroibete's try was legal.https://t.co/bBRAs613k1
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) January 15, 2023
The Wallabies wing then turned up in defence, coming up with a number of signature clutch tackles to hold the Verblitz out as they made a comeback.
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In the 71st minute he grabbed his double with a trademark pick-and-go carry from close range where he rolled over in the tackle to finish the try.
The 34-19 win propelled the Wild Knights to four wins from four to start the season and maintained their top spot in division one.
In other Sunday action, the Black Rams Tokyo won 34-22 at Shizuoka Blue Revs with Australian Matt McGahan having a starring role with 24 points, while former New Zealand age grade star Malo Tuitama produced a brilliant solo try for the Blue Revs.
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