Pearl of wisdom on Oates
BRONCOS legend Steve Renouf has urged Corey Oates to forget about his forward flirtation and re-sign with Brisbane as a winger.
Oates’ foray into the Broncos back-row is all but over with the left winger destined to stay where he is if he wants to remain at Red Hill.
The former Maroon spent the pre-season training with the forwards before being sent back to his original position by coach Wayne Bennett in Round 1.
Oates has been one of Brisbane’s best players in a poor start to the year, scoring two tries and averaging 119m with pressure-easing carries.
The 23-year-old is off contract at season’s end and has tested his value on the open market but 183-game Broncos flyer Renouf urged Oates to commit to Brisbane.
“He needs to make the wing his own,” said Renouf, was nicknamed The Pearl in his playing days for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.
“We’ve got two good wingers in him and (Jamayne) Isaako. When the Broncos are going well, we have good wingers.
“You want him to stay on the wing. He’s played Origin on the wing and can do some really good things.”
At 192cm and 105kg, Oates possesses the frame to flourish in the forward pack, however, injuries have been cruel to his young body.
Bennett believes the Broncos are a better team when Oates is on the wing and will look to retain the 103-game player on a new contract.
Young gun Jaydn Su’a has been named in the back-row for tomorrow’s clash against the Rabbitohs in Sydney.