Ospreys sign former Australia wing Koroibete

Ospreys have made former Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete their fourth Australian signing of the summer.

The 34-year-old will spend 2026-27 playing for the Swansea-based side in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Koroibete, who won the last of his 63 Australia caps against New Zealand in September 2024, arrives after five seasons with Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan.

"I'm really happy to be joining the Ospreys. I've heard some great things from the boys here already about the team and the environment, so I can't wait to get started," said Koroibete.

"It's a real privilege to be joining this club and to be following in the footsteps of some greats of the game."

He added: "I spoke to Mark [Jones, Ospreys head coach] prior to making my decision and he was very clear in what he expects of me in my work on the pitch and my work off it.

"There are some young, high-potential players in this squad and if I can play a part in helping them to reach the next level of their game, then that is something I will take pride in doing."

Koroibete was spotted playing in Fiji by NRL scouts and played for Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm before switching from rugby league to union in 2016.

Since his 2017 Australia debut he has scored 20 tries in 63 Tests, featuring at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.

The powerful wing becomes eligible to represent Fiji before next year's tournament in Australia.

Koroibete is the fourth Australian to follow Ryan Smith to Ospreys after the lock made a big impression in 2025-26.

Head coach Jones has also signed former Wallabies captain Liam Wright to bolster the back row, nine-times-capped centre Lalakai Foketi and versatile Australian back Lawson Creighton.

On signing Koroibete, Jones said: "I think I speak for everyone involved with the club when I say how happy we are to have added such an explosive talent to our squad.

"I think it says a lot about the club that we are still able to attract overseas players of his calibre. This is a signing that we believe will get our supporters up out of their seats.

"We feel his experience will be extremely beneficial to our youngsters and will have a real ripple effect on their development over the next few years."

Ospreys play Coventry in a friendly on Friday, 4 September (19:30 BST) as they build towards their URC opener at Sharks on Saturday, 26 September.