The All Blacks Sevens may have endured a rough start to the 2017 World Sevens Series, but they may well have unearthed the next cross-format superstar in the electrifying Vilimoni Koroi.
The 18-year-old was hand-picked for the squad after some stand-out performances during the national secondary schools tournament for Feilding High School and, oddly enough, didn’t even make an appearance at the New Zealand provincial sevens tournament in January.
While New Zealand failed to progress past the quarter-final stage of the Canadian leg of the series, the Whanganui-product had another outstanding tournament, salvaging a fifth place finish for his side with a startling 80m chip and chase try with time expired after earlier notching a brace against the host nation in pool play.
Of Fijian descent, Koroi possesses a frightening combination of speed and skill, with an educated boot and an uncanny ability to find the try line in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Just months removed from his final exams at Fielding High School, Koroi has found himself thrust onto a steep learning curve, but is embracing the enormity of his new-found position.
"I'm loving it, every moment, learning from the likes of DJ Forbes and Scott Curry," Koroi told NZME.
"I was pretty stoked when I got the call-up to come into camp so I thought I would give it a try and ended up making it down to Wellington."
Despite his relative youth and inexperience, coach Scott Waldrom hasn't been reluctant in dousing the teenager in expectation, already comparing him with one of New Zealand's foremost sevens legends.
"I guess what Vili brings to the team is what New Zealand have not had since Tomasi Cama stopped playing. That is, a playmaker, and the Fijian flair that guys in the past have brought to the team.
"He brings that ability to attack from nowhere and create space for other players."
The All Blacks Sevens are currently sitting fourth in the World Series standings and will next head to Hong Kong for the marquee tournament of the season in April.
Watch the video above to see Koroi in full flight.
Newshub.
