NRL 2021: Corey Oates ditches forward switch to settle back in on the wing for Broncos

He was a winger. Then he wanted to be a back-rower. But after his outstanding return against Penrith, Corey Oates knows where his future lies at the Broncos.

Corey Oates has revealed he is committed to succeeding as an NRL winger after a brief flirtation with the forwards that could have cost him his career at the Broncos.

The former Queensland Origin winger was outstanding in his return to the top grade against Penrith on Thursday night, running for 157 metres and pulling off two trysavers in Brisbane‘s gutsy 20-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

It was only Jesse Arthars’ illness 24 hours before the Panthers clash that triggered Oates’ recall — and his heroic display had many Broncos fans wondering why he spent the opening month languishing in the Intrust Super Cup.

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But Oates reasons he only had himself to blame after his persistent pursuit of becoming a fully-fledged back-rower played a role in his omission for Brisbane‘s premiership opener against the Eels last month.

A fractured hand in pre-season hampered his efforts to break into Brisbane’s forward pack, prompting Walters to dispatch Oates to a stint at Souths Logan that saw him face his mortality as an NRL player.

Corey Oates was outstanding back on the wing against the Panthers. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

“It was a kick up the bum,” Oates said with his trademark laugh.

“It was awesome to be back (in the Broncos side).

“I think there’s plenty of players that have been through it in their careers, getting a bit of a kick up the arse. I just went back (to Souths Logan) and was lucky to get another shot (against the Panthers). I just wanted to put my best performance out there.”

Oates’ display against the Panthers, headlined by a crunching tackle on Charlie Staines and some fearless charges off his tryline, finally rammed home his value on Brisbane’s left flank.

Since his debut in 2013, Oates has played 122 of his 156 first-grade games for the Broncos on the wing and he has been such a brilliant finisher he has scored more tries at Suncorp Stadium than any player in any sporting code.

The 105kg hulk was so lethal he represented Queensland on the wing eight times in four consecutive Origin campaigns from 2016-19.

But since 2017, Oates had his heart set on converting to the back-row, with his protests for a move largely falling on deaf ears with his former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who always believed he was better suited to the wing.

Oates got a taste of life in the forwards under Bennett’s coaching successor Anthony Seibold last year, but there were question marks over his ability to sustain back-to-back efforts in defence.

Corey Oates said he will stick to playing on the wing after a stint in the forwards. Picture: Jason O’Brien/NRL Photos

The 26-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season and there was no guarantee Brisbane would have retained Oates if he consistently failed to break into the forwards.

A reluctant winger for most of his career, Oates now accepts his 192cm frame and powerful charges make him a handful on the end of Brisbane’s backline.

Asked if he plans to return to the back row, Oates said: “Nah, that’s over.

“I was gassed enough on the wing. I’m happy to be back out there. I will stick to the wing.”

Oates said he relished his two games at Souths Logan and urged dumped Broncos colleague Anthony Milford to make the most of his experience in the Intrust Super Cup against Norths Devils on Sunday.

“You just have to go back and forget about the pressure. Just enjoy it and have fun,” he said.

“That’s what I tried to do, the first game I went back (against Burleigh) and it was pissing down with rain and I had a ball.

“It was the most fun I’ve had in footy for years. He just has to go back and enjoy it.

“I‘m pretty pumped to see ‘Milf’ play on Sunday.”

Corey Oates made the most of his call-up to the Broncos’ starting isde against the Panthers. Picture: Annette Dew

PANGAI JNR AT HOME ON THE EDGE

Broncos coach Kevin Walters says Tevita Pangai Jnr could be better suited as a back-row wrecking ball in the wake of his powerhouse performance against the Panthers.

Walters has been weighing up how best to deploy Pangai Jnr, who has either started in Brisbane’s front row or as a middle-forward on their interchange rotation in the opening five weeks of the season.

But Pangai Jnr’s blockbusting outing on the right edge in Brisbane’s gutsy 20-12 loss to Penrith at Suncorp Stadium last Thursday night has opened Walters’ eyes to his potency in the back row.

With rookie back-rower Jordan Riki being relegated to the bench, Pangai Jnr was outstanding in the No.12 jumper.

Tevita Pangai Jnr was back to his blockbusting best against the Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Tongan torpedo scored Brisbane’s opening try with a spectacular dive for the corner and was a constant menace as he ripped into the Panthers in attack and defence.

Pangai Jnr was on hand to stop Brian To’o scoring just before half-time and he came up with a crucial ball steal after the break in a performance that showed his value to the Broncos when he is committed to the cause.

Walters sees Pangai Jnr’s potential in midfield but is keen to retain him in the back row for Brisbane’s round seven clash against Parramatta at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Friday night.

“He might have found himself a home there on the right edge,” the Broncos coach said.

“He just kept coming up with the big plays.

“He stopped To’o from scoring, he had a couple of ball steals and a try, that’s what we expect from Tevita and we got it.

Tevita Pangai Jnr was hard to handle against the Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“In the short term, certainly on what we saw, Tevita won’t be going too far.”

Just nine months ago, Pangai Jnr was in danger of being sacked at Brisbane for a series of COVID breaches, but the 113kg forward is Brisbane’s X-factor when he switches on.

The 25-year-old was named Brisbane‘s best-on-ground against the Panthers and says he is happy to remain in the back row.

“Yes, whatever is best for the team,” he said.

“I was just trying to do the best for the boys, but I’m disappointed we lost that game.

“We had our chances but we didn’t take them.

“That’s what the game is about, we didn’t get the two points. You can’t be happy with that.”