ARU reportedly trying to lure NRL star

Melbourne Storm wing Marika Koroibete. Photo / Getty Images

THE ARU is reportedly trying to lure Melbourne Storm winger Marika Koroibete across to the 15-a-side game.

Speaking on Triple M's Rush Hour program with Dan Ginnane and Mark Bosnich on Thursday evening, The Australian's Brent Read said the Melbourne Rebels were looking to poach the 23-year-old.

"They're chasing Melbourne winger Marika Koroibete, and now the ARU's waded into it," Read said.

With gun halfback Cooper Cronk still yet to decide on his future, Read said the Storm would be looking to secure his services first and foremost, which would mean they have a set amount in mind set aside for Koroibete. Read then said the "ARU has blown that (amount of money) out of the water".

Channel 9 also reported the news, which was tweeted by the network's sports reporter Danny Weidler.

Just on @9NewsAUS with breaking news ...Marika Koroibete is being chased by Melbourne Rebels with interest from Wallabies.

— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) April 21, 2016

Koroibete's electric pace has made him one of the most potent attacking weapons in the competition.

He burst onto the scene with the Wests Tigers back in 2012, but failed to cement a regular first grade starting berth because his flashes of brilliance were marred by defensive inconsistencies.

He moved to Melbourne in 2014 and last year was when he really showed how good a player he is, playing 23 games and scoring 16 tries in 2015.

He's kept up that good form in the current campaign, crossing the white line three times to date. He's also represented Fiji on seven occasions.

Part of the lure of coming across to rugby union would be the opportunity to play for the Wallabies, which several rugby league stars have done over the years.

Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers famously code-hopped in the early 2000s, while Israel Folau - also previously of Melbourne (and Brisbane) - plays for the NSW Waratahs and was part of the Wallabies side that went all the way to the World Cup final last year.