Blueprint to surviving Maroons’ aerial raid: NSW prepared to swap wingers Zac Lomax and Brian To’o to manage Xavier Coates
Queensland are threatening to pull a positional shift in order to unleash the aerial strike power of Xavier Coates, but the Blues might just be one-step ahead, prepared for a late switch to counter the Maroons.
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The NSW camp is prepared and ready for Queensland to pull a late positional shock by shifting the 194cm Xavier Coates to the right wing for an aerial assault on the much smaller Brian To’o.
Could it be that NSW may consider a late switch to counter Queensland?
To’o is officially listed at 182cms but the reality is he’s closer to 174cms. That would give Coates a 20cms advantage when contesting an attacking bomb.
The clandestine Maroons are refusing to reveal which side Coates will play but the Blues are one-step ahead and already planning for a switch.
To’o can play left and right but played mostly left last year with Lomax, who stands 190cm, primarily a right-side winger.
Will NSW consider shifting To’o to thwart Queensland? It’s possible that To’o could himself shift to the right.
Coates scored one of the all-time great tries when leaping into the night sky to catch a bomb against Cronulla just last week.
It prompted Fox League commentator Michael Ennis to say: “Oh my goodness. That is meant for the MCG.”
Coates and To’o both play left wing for their NRL clubs. That would mean Coates would be shifted to Queensland’s right wing to confront To’o.
Maroons halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Cam Munster are planning to use the height of Coates, who is known for his aerial acrobatics.
To’o would seek out support from NSW’s left centre, Latrell Mitchell.
Coates’ possible move is being discussed in private inside the NSW camp.
The Blues have even been asking those in and around the camp to try and seek answers about where Coates has been training.
Coates can also play both sides but has been on the left with Melbourne over the past few years.
Maroons hooker Harry Grant described Coates as an “aerial threat.”
NSW assistant and Storm head coach Craig Bellamy is fully aware of Coates’ ability in the air.
To’o has been targeted previously due to his stature – but unsuccessfully. The Panthers powerhouse has always managed to hold his own under a high ball.
He admitted recently: “I’m tiny, bro. I don’t even know how tall I am.”
Lomax, To’o and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic were being discussed as NSW’s wingers for game one with Daley ultimately opting for To’o and Lomax.
NSW will have a light captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday before Wednesday night’s big game.
Originally published as Blueprint to surviving Maroons’ aerial raid: NSW prepared to swap wingers Zac Lomax and Brian To’o to manage Xavier Coates
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