Brisbane Broncos’ winger Corey Oates back in Origin arena after three-year absence
The Central Queensland star will make his ninth Origin appearance in the 2022 series decider at Suncorp. Read what his dad and a former coach have to say about the selection.
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Corey Oates will make his long-awaited return to the Maroons for the State of Origin decider - and his family would not miss it for the world.
His parents Warren and Janette and siblings Matthew and Jenna will be in the sellout crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Corey and Tom Dearden were called into the Maroons’ starting line-up after Murray Taulagi and Rockhampton’s Cameron Munster tested positive for Covid.
Corey joins fellow Central Queenslanders Ben Hunt and Harry Grant in the 17.
Warren said they were thrilled that Corey was back in the Origin arena after a three-year absence.
The 192cm, 105kg winger has been in scintillating form with the Brisbane Broncos this year.
He has scored 14 tries and is averaging 147 running metres a game.
Warren said Corey was probably playing as well as he ever had in his 10-year NRL career, and had enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season.
“This is probably the fittest he’s ever been and he’s just got his confidence back,” he said.
“He’s definitely excited (to be playing for Queensland) and we’re just so happy that he got back there.”
This will be Corey’s ninth appearance for the Maroons, and his family would love nothing more than for him to repeat the heroics of 2016 when he sealed the series with an acrobatic try in the decider also at Suncorp.
Terry Hansen, who coached Corey at St Brendan’s College, said it was a good selection.
“At that level, I think you need the experienced players, they know what it’s about and what needs to be done,” he said.
“I think Corey will be stoked to get another opportunity and he will be very good.
“He’s playing what I think is the best footy of his career.
“What Corey’s got that a lot of other wingers haven’t is his bring back. He is a handful bringing the ball back from kicks because he runs hard and he uses the defence up because they have to get numbers on him.
“That’s the part of his game that will hold him in good stead.”
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