Xavier Coates

Coates flew more than five metres through the air, with almost his entire body horizontal and out of bounds, to dot down in the corner with seconds remaining to help the Storm complete a remarkable fightback.

Trailing 26-18 with five minutes remaining, Ryan Papenhuyzen crossed for the second of two tries to give the Storm hope.

He was recalled into the side at the expense of Selwin Cobbo who is unavailable for selection because of injury concerns. 

The Towering Winger was named for the first time this year after missing out on selection for the State of Origin Opener in Adelaide.

Coates last appeared in the State of Origin in 2022 game one where he suffered the injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the series.

Coates was being interviewed on the field by Melbourne’s media manager following the club’s thumping Anzac Day win over the Warriors.

Smith walked up to Coates and said “let’s go” followed by what was reportedly a pidgin English word, which triggered a chuckle from Coates.

After launching his career at the Broncos with 17 tries in 32 games since debuting as an 18-year-old in 2019, Coates has made the move south to join fellow PNG Kumul Olam in a star studded Storm backline.

"From the first session we did, Juzzy and I clicked straight away from our cultural background," Oates said.

"I am not really an aggressive sort of player but it’s good to have him next to me and it makes you feel comfortable and you trust him.

Last season the Storm were knocked out by eventual premiers in the preliminary final and lost winger Josh Addo-Carr to the Bulldogs.

Coates, 20, who made the move down south from Brisbane has been hailed a ‘superstar’ by the former Panther.

“Josh Addo-Carr leaves and they sign who I believe will be the best signing by the end of the year and his name is Xavier Coates,” Sattler said on Sportsday WA.

The 20-year-old made the move south from the Broncos and already has Origin experience under his belt being a part of the winning 2020 side and the 2021 team.

Coates has become known for his acrobatic try scoring ability and his blistering pace, made all the more impressive by his imposing frame out on the wing.

After making the big switch, former Storm premiership winner Cooper Cronk believes coach Craig Bellamy knows exactly how to take Coates’ game to the next level.

“I think it is scary what Xavier Coates could do this year,” Cronk said.

But bring up the prospect of two weeks on a suburban building site and the 20-year-old is quick to admit he has some concerns.

The Queensland origin outside back has arrived in his new city and already feels part of the team, following the support of Justin Olam and the good fortune of one of his best mates also joining the club in Cole Geyer, son of club great Matt Geyer.

Injuries to Matt Ikuvalu and Billy Smith this weekend has seen the Roosters forced into playing Joey Manu on the wing with Adam Keighran at centre in a heavily-shuffled side.

Joseph Suaalii and Brett Morris’ seasons were both cut short by injury.

The NRL is talking about introducing a loan system for the rest of this season given that bubble restrictions don’t allow clubs to dip into reserve grade easily.

Speaking on NRL360 on Fox League, The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed four of the names that had been tossed up to coach Trent Robinson.

Coates put pen to paper on a two-year deal last week which will see him link up with the Storm for 2022.

Melbourne don’t often go to market for established stars but they made an exception for the Queensland representative winger.

The Broncos – Coates’ current club – the Titans and Cowboys all table offers for the Papua New Guinean international.

Bellamy was spotted speaking to Coates prior to Christmas and the clubs confirmed the deal on Sunday.

NRL.com reported that conjecture over his future beyond this season has finally been put to bed with the Storm announcing his signing, on a deal understood to be worth around $500,000 (K1.4m) annually, until the end of 2023.

Brisbane had set aside a similar $500,000 figure for Coates, and will now enter the player market to bolster their backline stocks.

NRL.com understands the Broncos have expressed interest in Storm utility Nicho Hynes among several rival clubs, with the utility back impressing at fullback in recent weeks with Ryan Papenhuyzen out injured.