Wallabies star Marika Koroibete to miss Spring Tour

Koroibete has opted not to travel to Japan and Europe with the Wallabies squad due to family reasons, while tighthead prop Pone Fa'amausili will also miss the tour with a calf injury.

The star winger's absence is a major blow to Dave Rennie's squad ahead of games against Japan, Scotland, England and Wales.

The Wallabies are in Oita preparing for their tour opener against the Brave Blossoms on Saturday, with Rennie backing the players in his squad to fill the void.

Koroibete's withdrawal could see Jordan Petaia earn another start while the door is ajar for Tom Wright to force his way back into the starting XV.

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Twenty-nine-year-old Koroibete has played 42 Tests since making his debut in 2017 and will soon relocate to join Robbie Deans' Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan in 2022, meaning a return to the Test arena would hinge on relaxing the Giteau Law.

Rennie is unlikely to call upon players still in Australia to fill any gaps in the squad throughout the tour, with eyes on England-based flyer Luke Morahan as an option to play his first Test since 2016.

"We've been discussing it for a while, obviously we let [Koroibete] go home a week early during the Rugby Championship," Rennie said.

"COVID has thrown a lot of curveballs at all of us, obviously Marika has been away from home for a long time, Emma is pretty isolated down there, they've had a newborn baby and they've got a couple of other young boys. Based on those situations, Marika has chosen not to tour.

"As always, it's an opportunity, isn't it? Marika didn't play the last game, Jordie [Petaia] got a start. It gave Tom Wright a sniff off the bench who played really well.

"It is a position we've got a lot of depth in. Marika is an unbelievable player, massive work ethic, and physicality. Big shoes to fill but we've got good depth there.

"Obviously we're watching [Morahan], as we've been looking at lots of players around the globe. We'll see how we come out of this tour, we've made a real commitment to the guys who are left behind to go straight on leave and to come back in November to have a decent off-season.

"We're very focused on maintaining that which would mean we won't look back at home to try to bring someone over."

Fa'amausili has had ongoing calf and hamstring problems and suffered another setback at training last week, with his absence to be offset by the return of Allan Alaalatoa.

Samu Kerevi [syndesmosis] will be given every chance to play this week, with Rennie saying "we'll put in the best side available" to face Japan ahead of three blockbusters.

WALLABIES' SPRING TOUR FIXTURE

Saturday, October 23: Japan v Wallabies at Oita Stadium, 3.45pm

Monday, November 8: Scotland v Wallabies at Murrayfield, 1.15am

Sunday, November 14: England v Wallabies at Twickenham, 4.30am

Sunday, November 21: Wales v Wallabies at Millennium Stadium, 4.30am

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