Teenage ‘freak’ looms as replacement for Oates

COREY Oates’ leg infection has opened the door for Broncos flyer Xavier Coates to nab a Round 1 NRL berth.

Coates has bolted into the mix along with Herbie Farnworth for Brisbane’s NRL season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Star winger Oates is behind the eight-ball after being hospitalised during the Christmas break with a serious infection in his lower leg.

The Queensland Maroons winger has returned to training, last Friday but lost weight after being on a restricted

SUPERSTAR Cowboys signing Valentine Holmes has declared his intent to eclipse the scintillating form he found at the end of 2018 while playing for the Cronulla Sharks.

Holmes has been readying for his NRL comeback in the hot north Queensland conditions since joining the club in late November.

But while the weather has been testing, he says the transition into the Cowboys’ spine has been seamless.

“I feel really comfortable at the back,” Holmes said.

“In my combinations with the halves, centres and back-rowers I feel like I fit in really well.

“I’m picking up how everyone likes program. Oates reckons he may be battling swelling in his leg for the entire season.

The Broncos are stacked with rising outside backs, and Coates is an impressive specimen.

At 100kg and 194cm, the to play ... I can’t wait for the season ahead.”

The 24-year-old former New York Jet said he was still understanding how to communicate as a fullback during his time at Cronulla, but that would not be a problem in 2020.

“I was obviously a bit younger and still learning, but having a few years, especially 2018, playing fullback, I feel like I know what I’m doing now.

“I feel comfortable talking to everyone, getting into position and knowing where I’m going.

“We’ve got some really good outside backs here who can break open a game, so it’s just about adding to that 18-year-old is a similar size to Oates (105kg and 195cm).

The former Tweed Seagulls junior played three NRL matches in his debut season last year and was labelled a “freak” by teammates.

“‘X’ is a freak of an athlete, he’s a big boy,” Broncos back if I can get back to the form I played in at the end of 2018, if not better.” The 2016 premiership winner said he didn’t need to reshape his body after returning from the NFL. He admitted, though, improving his cardiovascular fitness was a key part of his program before Christmas, as he predominantly performed explosive movements in the US. “The first couple of weeks I wasn’t doing too much, just trying to get back in the swings of things,” Holmes said. “I feel good. I’m out there training every day. The trainers are looking after me a lot here.”

Joining Michael

Masters and Kyle

Morgan, Esan Feldt in the

Jesse Arthars said. “He’s working hard for a spot in that first 17. It’s good to see the young fellas going hard.

“There’s a lot of wingers and outside backs.

“It’s really healthy for the club at the moment.” backline, Holmes said opposition defences would have their hands full if they all clicked.

“I don’t feel like I’m the only guy who can break open a game,” he said.

“I’m really confident in the back five we have at the moment and everyone knows how good our forward pack is.”

Holmes was a fixture on the flank for the Maroons since his State of Origin debut in 2017, scoring eight tries in just five appearances.

He said at this stage his sole focus was on making his mark in the NRL, but admitted Queensland coach Kevin Walters had been in contact.

“I know I’m not just going to walk back into the Queensland team – there’s a lot of great players,” he said.