All going well, he would have been emerging from managed isolation about now with an Olympic silver medal.
He had been with the New Zealand sevens programme all year but missed selection for the Tokyo Games.
‘‘I was pretty gutted at the start,’’ he said.
‘‘But it was the coach’s decision and I backed him and the team that was going, as well.
‘‘Obviously we didn’t get the gold that we wanted but I’m just happy to be back down here playing rugby.’’
Otago coach Tom Donnelly had talked about easing Koroi back into the 15-man code but that plan was quickly abandoned when first five Josh Ioane suffered a head knock in the first quarter of the season-opener against Southland last weekend.
Koroi was thrust into the action. He has played more at fullback but has all the skills at pivot and threw a lovely pass to help create the space for Freedom Vahaakolo to score a last-minute try to seal a tense 26-19 win last weekend.
With Ioane still sidelined, Koroi has been named to start at first five for today’s Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay
‘‘My first proper game back was last weekend. I was on after just 14 minutes.
‘‘I thought, oh man, Josh is down, I’ll have to jump in. But the other boys helped me get through the game.’’
The learning curve takes another sharp upwards turn this week.
‘‘I haven’t played much at 10 this year or during the last couple of years. But I’m pretty excited about it and it will be good to have a run against Hawke’s Bay, who are a good side.’’
Koroi has been given the freedom to play his natural game and ‘‘have a bit of a run’’.
‘‘But in a Ranfurly Shield game you’ve got to pick your moments.’’
Hawke’s Bay is less likely to play the game with width. It relies on set piece dominance and a rolling maul.
Veteran hooker Ash Dixon has mastered the art of getting in the boot of a drive and flopping over for try after try.
‘‘It is a big strength of theirs but we are backing our forwards. They’ve been practising the maul.’’
Good. They will need that practice.
Southland was able to nullify Otago’s driving maul. Otago is also missing a couple of heavies up front.
Tighthead prop Josh Hohneck is sidelined with a calf strain. Jermaine Ainsley is still making his way back from injury and Sef Fa’agase is unavailable.
Loosehead Abraham Pole did a nice job in his debut and Tevita Pole gets a spot on the bench. It is a big opportunity for the young man.
Halfback Kayne Hammington will captain the side in the absence of James Lentjes.
‘‘I’ve had a few cracks as captain with the Highlanders development team over the years,’’ he said.
‘‘But I think it is just an age thing. I’ve been around the block a few times, being the old battler that I am.
‘‘We’ve got some other leaders as well, so I’m sure we’ll bounce some ideas around rather than it just be me leading the charge.’’
