Xavier Coates is ready, willing and able if bustling Queensland winger Selwyn Cobbs is ruled out of the second State of Origin match in Brisbane.
After scoring two tries in the Maroons’ victory over NSW in the series opener in Adelaide, Cobbo is battling a hip issue which could pave the way for the return of Coates.
The Storm speedster made his Origin debut in 2020 and has played six games but was sidelined after injuring his ankle in the opener of the 2022 series.
With the Maroons enjoying a glut of classy outside backs, the towering 22-year-old was overlooked this year despite some impressive form for Melbourne.
He pushed his case for selection with two tries in the Storm’s thumping 54-10 win on Sunday over Cronulla, with his aerial skills on full display.
Queensland will name their team on Monday for Wednesday week’s second match of the series.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he was surprised Coates wasn’t picked for the Adelaide match.
“It’s really hard to pick 17 but he carried on with his consistent form,” Bellamy said.
“He’s a wonderfully hard worker – he always puts in time and effort and he’s getting rewarded for that.”
Coates said he would relish another Origin opportunity if one arose but was happy just to see Queensland win.
“I’d love to be in that side but the boys that got picked for that State of origin team, they’ve done such a great job and as a Queenslander. I love seeing us win,” he told AAP.
“You can’t get away from a winning side and those boys on the edges who played, they did such a great job.
“Although I’m not in that team, I can really support the boys – so many Queensland boys are playing so well this year and obviously you can’t pick everyone.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m picked or not picked as long as we’re winning, that’s the main thing.”
Meanwhile, Storm skipper Christian Welch’s hopes of winning selection might have hit a snag after he was sin-binned against Cronulla.
The prop was put on report and sent for an early shower late in the match for a hip drop tackle on Royce Hunt, who had to be assisted from the field with an ankle issue.
Queensland’s 19th man in the series opener, Welch is in contention to replace the injured Jai Arrow.
Welch apologised to Hunt post-match and while he admitted the tackle was “ugly” said he was not sure about its legality.
“I think I landed on the ground first and it was just a bit of an ugly tackle,” he said.
“I wasn’t in the team for game one so I don’t know if I would even be picked, to be honest, so I will wait and see.”
