READY TO REP IN

Stories behind the remarkable footy rise of two Coast talents

ONE is set for her State of Origin debut in her first season in rugby league.

The other is a fellow Tweed Coast talent who will make his Test debut for Papua New Guinea despite being straight out of schoolboy footy.

Meet Jessika Elliston and Xavier Coates, who own two of the most unlikely rises in a packed representative period for the code.

IF you’ve never heard the name Xavier Coates before, you wouldn’t be alone.

But one of league’s most exciting teenagers since Greg Inglis won’t be flying under the radar after making his international debut this weekend.

Papua New Guinea-born Coates has enjoyed a stunning rise in 2019, backing up winning an under-18 national championship with Tweed Heads with two tries on Intrust Super Cup debut for the Seagulls and a man-of-the-match performance in Queensland’s under-18 Origin triumph.

Now, he’s set become the youngest Test player since Australia’s Sione Mata’utia in 2014 when he starts for the Kumuls in their Oceania Cup opener in Sydney.

Kumuls coach Michael Marum said the 18-year-old had demonstrated skill and maturity beyond his years and he intended to debut him at centre against a Samoan side featuring Broncos clubmates Jamayne Isaako, Anthony Milford and Jayden Su’A.

“He’s going to start in the centres so we’ll see how he trains and make sure he knows all the boys,” Marum said.

“We actually told his dad about the call-up last week and as soon as Xavier found out, he emailed me back and the way he expressed showed how grateful he was for the opportunity to represent his country.

“For him to do that shows what kind of player and person he is, so he’s excited and I can’t wait to see him play.”

Equally dangerous at centre and wing, Coates was signed by Brisbane from the Gold Coast and has been on PNG’s radar since his junior days at Currumbin Eagles.