RUGBY league legend Andrew Johns has praised Broncos youngster Xavier Coates, comparing the Papua New Guinea Kumuls squad member to multi-sport athlete and former Brisbane winger Israel Folau. The Broncos and Sea Eagles played out a thrilling clash last Thursday which Des Hasler’s men eventually ran home with 20-18 in a second-half comeback. A breath of fresh air for Brisbane, Coates proved a massive headache for Manly with his athletic abilities on display on the right edge. NRL fans had seen glimpses of the 19-year-old last year but this time around, 194cm Coates was easily Brisbane’s most dangerous player in attack. Broncos winger Xavier Coates taking part in a training session in Brisbane yesterday. – AAPpic Playing on the wing, Coates finished the match with 115 run metres, one line break and a breathtaking try that showcased his athletic abilities when he took off in the air and brought the ball down with him to score. Following the match, Johns commended Coates and compared him to Catalans Dragons star Folau, who had AFL and rugby union stints before returning to rugby league. “He’s just one of those rare talents when the ball goes up near him, you know he’s going to come down with it,” Johns said. “Very similar to Israel Folau when he played rugby league. Not only that, a couple of times when he got the ball in space – how athletic he was. He loves the challenge and he loves the contact. “Moving forward, I think he’s going to be a strike centre. “I think he will start his career on the wing like a lot of great centres do but eventually, he will go into the centres. Once he does and gets some clean ball and the Broncos work out how to use him in attack, look out.” Even Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans weighed in after the match. “He looks like a really special athlete,” Cherry-Evans said. “If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to play for a long time. “He was fantastic tonight.” – WWOS next : PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka Re-Elected Comments are closed.
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