Koroibete clocks insane speed in making his notorious cover tackle
Marika Koroibete’s covering tackle to prevent Makazole Mapimpi from scoring on Saturday has been the hottest topic in rugby for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it was an absolutely monstrous tackle. Secondly, and probably most importantly, the rugby world has been divided in terms of the legality of the tackle. Thirdly, Koroibete’s own safety has been a concern, as his head was in the wrong position to make the tackle.
What is undeniable is that it was an incredible effort by the winger to make his way to the other side of the pitch to make the tackle. In fact, the Wallabies have shared a video showing how incredible it was, with the 30-year-old reaching 38 kph as he sprinted across the field.
With his fellow wing Tom Wright in the bin, Koroibete needed speed like that to effectively cover two wings, and was actually going at 38 kph when he made contact with Mapimpi, which explains why the collision was so huge.
The former NRL star discussed the tackle after the match, saying: “The tackle had to be made – we got a man in the bin and I have to cover his side and make that cover (tackle).
“I was just running and I knew he wasn’t going to step he was going to go for the corner so I put my head there and hoped for the best.
“We spoke this week about effort and working for each other. The forwards do their job, ruck, mauling and those sort of things and backs we have to do our job.”
Koroibete went on to be named player of the match in the Wallabies’ impressive 25-17 win, and his head coach Dave Rennie was full of praise after the match.
“He’s incredible and what you see on Saturdays is what you see every day at training – he is just full on,” Rennie said.
“If we kick a ball, he is at full pace chasing, he is concrete when he hits, his work ethic is phenomenal, I haven’t seen another winger like it.
“He’s not a big man but powerful and and he’s all over the park. You have a look at his numbers, they’re outrageous.”
Take a look at the tackle:
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