Origin Game 1, 2022: 22-year-old Xavier Coates was one of those certain starters for the Maroons, in his third year of Origin.
Coates had tasted Origin glory in 2020, however did not play Game 3 because of a groin injury. He played all three games in the 2021 losing effort, and played Game 1 last year, only to suffer an ankle injury that would see him miss about seven games of footy.
As luck would have it, up at the Broncos, the club that blooded Coates into the NRL, back in 2019, had a new kind of Queensland winger developing, the kind of stand-out winger Brisbane are known for producing traditionally – the likes of Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Justin Hodges and Jharal Yow Yeh (unfortunate early retirement).
That talented 21-year-old Brisbane young gun Selwyn Cobbo, the way he played the game at wing had many of the game’s greats singing praise over the then-teenage talent. According to Billy Slater, he will continue to be in Queensland’s long -erm plans and to put it bluntly the only reason behind Coates being dropped in the pecking order of Queensland outside back stocks.
One thing that always has this reporter wondering is how would Coates’ Origin career gone if he hadn’t injured himself in last year’s opening game. Would he have maintained his position?
From seven appearances for Queensland, Coates has three tries, and he barely does a thing wrong for Queensland, as is a common trait of nearly every Queenslander who wears the jersey. His try in Game 2 and big carriers are a testament to his commitment to developing his game.
I’ve tried to understand the logic behind Slater’s outside backs development plans. When Coates made his debut he was talked about as a long-term investment outside back, with qualities in his game such as his aerial prowess, speed, and unstoppable try -coring instincts and awareness close to the line.
However, since his injury last year, Slater has taken a different direction, one that has him now rooting for Cobbo, some would say a like-for-like winger to Coates, and just a year younger than Coates.
Only Slater has an expert eye very few players and legends have, in regards to seeing the small things in a player’s game that would elevate them over another player with similar attributes in physique and skill.
Slater’s decision this season to pick Cobbo ahead of Coates, and even considering Murray Taulagi ahead of Coates seemed unfair, however as previously stated, there is a suspicion that Queensland has a outside backs development plan that compliments the overall game plan, and at the moment Cobbo and Taulagi seem the fit incumbent wing pair.
Coates was lucky to play Game 2 and would take motivation from showcasing his skill again for the Maroons, and not letting any of his teammates down.
It is unlucky, however, that a fit Cobbo would push Coates out of contention once more.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Coates was good in game 2 so hopefully he is improving. He has the worst hands have have seen in sport for a long time and is terrible in devensive reads. You can tell the media that don't actually watch games when they call him great under the high ball. I was happy Billy didn't pick him game one for the above reasons but I really hope he improves
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Coates would do the job just fine, but if slata drops him it’s good for the Storm
Albo
Roar Rookie
Cobbo is clueless in his defensive readings. I reckon that's why Slater dumped him from Origin 2 . Note the three (3) tries the Titans scored through his wing yesterday ! Apart from his finishing , Coates has become more robust and improved dramatically under Bellyache and is now a good meter eater out of defence.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Coats has all the natural gifts to be one of the best outside backs in the game. As a few have suggested Football instincts is probably something he needs to develop. Going to the Storm under Bellamy was a really smart move. If you want to develop football IQ that’s a really good place to go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Coates was very good in Game 2, but I think I’d still go with Cobbo Both have size, pace, strength but I think Cobbo has the edge for the ability to use those things and his overall football nous. He’s a footballer, where Coates comes across more as a great athlete who happens to play footy Taulagi has been so impressive. I was at the Leichhardt game a month or so ago when the Cows got 60 put on them. Taulagi was walking behind play, jogging after kicks, etc and looked like he didn’t want to be there Maybe whatever was effecting the team was particularly effecting him. But I could make a case for him being Queenslands best player in the series so far He’s scored and set up some amazing tries, but he’s also saved 3 or 4 on his own with brilliant defence, strength and footy IQ to hold players up or stop them short I don’t think there have been many players who I’ve had such a turnaround on opinion of in such a short time period
Nat
Roar Guru
I keep waiting for him to appreciate his size and run over blokes. He has every physical advantage and no mongrel.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
You'd have to think X has got the inside rail for Origin 3. He played really well, and backed it up for the Storm last night. Selwyn is great, and you'd hope that leaving him out of game 3 would only make him hungrier.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think most bronco's supporters thought he'd develop better at the storm then brissy. Tons of raw skill but plenty of room for improvement.
Noel
Roar Rookie
Don't know if I'm turfing Val just yet! Too many great options. Depth is unreal.
Daniel Ealedona
Roar Rookie
That is true.
Daniel Ealedona
Roar Rookie
Dangerous if the hammer and cobbo where to hold the centres down with Muzz and Coates on the wing.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I'll admit I was very worried about Coates in game 2 but credit where it's due. He was really good all game. Still think Selwyn has a lot more upside. He has great footy instinct and that puts him ahead imo
Noel
Roar Rookie
Good article,. Daniel. It's a great problem to have. Cobbo has better hands, and more natural footy ability, in my view. Coates always had the freakish athletic ability, particularly in a vertical leap, but rarely took a clean mark. When he left Brisbane, I was sad for us, but cheering for the maroons, because I figured in Melbourne, he'd at least learn to catch. I still think he has a lot work to do on that front, but he jaas been better this year. It's going to be interesting, because there's every chance Cobbo plays centre next year when Herbie leaves. Good times ahead for the Maroons.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
I don't think there is much between Queensland's 4 wingers on the surface but the thing that separates them is the wider skill base of Muzz and Cobbo. It also separates them from the nsw wingers. Muzz has a history with purely freakish moments with his kicking and passing and is a very dependable defender and defuser. Cobbo is good at getting into the open where he becomes a real handful because he doesn't just run fast in a straight line he is also good with kick difusal . Coates' transition carries were fantastic in O 2 but it seems in general that he is behind the 2 starters who bank those plays weekly. Coates and Oates are definitely rep quality wingers and would, and have slotted into the Qld side with impact when selected but there is a bit more x factor with the other 2 at the moment. eg. Muzz at full tilt hugging the sideline in traffic, 15m chip that lands 2m from the sideline regathers and passes inside for a try. The cowboys players say 'yeh he does it at training all the time, we are not surprised'.