As a winger, Corey Oates reckons he makes a pretty good back-rower.
And even his recall on Queensland’s left wing for July 11’s State of Origin game three hasn’t changed his mind.
In fact, off contract Oates is more determined than ever to earn a back-row start and has not ruled out leaving his beloved NRL club Brisbane to get it.
Oates gets his first Origin chance since playing the last of his four games for Queensland in last year’s record series-opening 28-4 loss to NSW.
He only got another chance in a backline reshuffle caused by inspirational centre and skipper Greg Inglis’ unavailability with a broken thumb.
“This means everything. It’s the dream. Once you get a taste of it you always want to get it back – I missed it,” Oates said of his recall.
“I didn’t think I had a chance at all (this year). A few injuries helped.”
While thrilled to combine with left centre Dane Gagai who replaces Inglis, Oates insisted on Wednesday: “I am a back-rower playing on the wing.
“I’m not the electric winger. I am slow and powerful. I feel like a forward.
“I was thrown on the wing when I first came into first grade. I was always coming through as a back-rower, I loved it and still do.”
Oates is still waiting on talks with Brisbane – a process that has not been helped by the lanky Broncos winger being in between managers.
He is one of the first picked for the Broncos on the wing but Oates has not given up on cracking the back-row – even if it means leaving Brisbane.
Asked if he would consider linking with an NRL club that offered him a back-row start, Oates said: “You always do (consider it) but you have to look at a lot of other things too, it’s not just one thing I look at signing for a club.
“(But) I feel playing back-row brings more out of me than the wing.”
Cracking Brisbane’s back-row will be easier said than done with the likes of Joe Ofahengaue, Jaydn Su’A and rookie David Fifita in the squad – not that Oates had to be told.
“It’s promising signs for us – well maybe not for me,” he said. “It’s tough but I am not going to stop knocking on the door.”
Haz
Guest
Should read "Corey Oats May Leave Brisbane for Oblivion".
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
Pretty hard to pick a bloke from the wing in the NRL to play second row in Origin! Long term though, I do agree he has the makings of a great QLD backrower on the left edge. He would offer a lot more impact than Cooper, but he needs to be playing there in club footy first. It's just unfortunate that right at the moment, it suits Brisbane better to have him on the wing. I hope that doesn't force him out of the club, but it might have to happen if he wants to play second row.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
I’m surprised he hasn’t been selected at second row for QLD. Kaufusi has been oh so very mediocre and cost us two tries in game one. Gavin Cooper was anonymous in both games. People notice Kaufusi due to his fro, his involvements aren’t great but when the hair flies back when he hits contact; you notice. He had 7 missed tackles in one game - do we really think Oates doesn’t offer morethan either of them?
Albo
Guest
Yeah ! Not sure I have the same enthusiasm for that one ?
Brian
Guest
Some despicable club like the storm or rorters will promise him a second row spot and play him on the wing within a month. It happened to Hoffman, it’ll happen again.
Spider Cam
Guest
Spot on Nat!
Nat
Roar Guru
Maybe not the best time to be between managers. Everyone wants more money but few coaches are going go guarantee a specific position - just an opportunity should it present itself. He may be a very good backrower but show me a backrower who can score the tries he does. That's what he is known for and will be bought for.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
There's a sea eagle swooping in from the south I understand.
Albo
Guest
I'd love him at Penrith , but as a winger !
kk
Guest
Rabbit, Knight, Panther or Shark? Arise, Sir Corey Oates. Corey has just enough figjam about him to be the standout buy for seasons 2019 - ?
Don
Roar Rookie
But if he signs a one year deal he will be playing wing and won’t get the chance to show whether he’s a top grade backrow option. He was supposedly training in the backrow in the last off season with a view to playing there this year. But the Broncos outside backs stock is shallow so Oates ended up back on the wing. I have no doubt he’d be a hit in the 2nd row hitting the left edge. Reminds me of a young Gavin Cooper who switched between centre and second row in his early years. Oates is a more damaging runner.
Don
Roar Rookie
His issue is timing. Bennett won’t pay big coin to wingers. Whilst Oates doesn’t really want to play wing, I’m sure he’d change his mind if his salary went up a couple of hundred thousand and stay in Brisbane. And Oates needed a season in the backrow showing his value there before he goes looking for a club to pay bigger coin and take a punt on him being a top flight back rower. Apart from the delay in waiting for his management change, I’d say he’s also waiting to see what happens with Bennett and the coaching role. Personally, I think the Broncos depth in the backrow could be flawed. So many of the current and new crop are really similar player types and size.
Paul
Roar Guru
What a weird situation, a winger being told he can't play second row! Most wingers would pay NOT to play second row and here's one who wants to. He's caught between a rock and a hard place. He would walk into most teams as a winger but is an unproven quantity as a back rower at this level. On paper he has all the attributes to make a go of it, but nothing in the resume says this is certain. Oates might be better off signing a one year deal with the Broncos and spending the next 12 months developing his back row skills and sounding out Clubs through his manager. He's still young enough to wait a while and who knows, he might get more SOO games on the wing next year.
Albo
Guest
The problem for Corey Oates is that his value as a backrower is substantially diminished, as most clubs have plenty of backrower talent, compared to the quality winger talent that Oates has always exhibited. He might want to play in the forwards, but most clubs would only want to pay him good money to play as a winger ! Time for Corey to face the realities of his game.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Broncos are loaded with backrow talent, in addition to the guys mentioned, throw in Pengi-Junior, Gillett, Maguire and Glenn. Oates will likely need to leave if he wants to play in the backrow. There is an opening with the Red n Greens next season !