NRL 2024: Xavier Coates try goes viral with 6 million views as behind the scenes footage proves it was no fluke
Xavier Coates’ gravity defying try has gone viral, with more than six million views on social media. But there are countless attempts away from the cameras that helped prepare the Storm star for the stunning matchwinner.
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It’s been called the greatest try in NRL history and here is the proof that it wasn’t a fluke. This masthead has obtained exclusive images of Melbourne’s Xavier Coates and his wing partner Will Warbrick honing their acrobatic skills after training, the pair defying gravity with the aid of a tackling bag and an oversized cushion.
Where Coates is concerned, practice truly does make perfect. The Storm winger’s stunning matchwinning effort against the Warriors at AAMI Park last weekend has already been viewed 6 million times on social media, with that figure growing by the day.
“I’ve been blown away by the interest and the coverage it has received to be honest,” Coates said.
The try was even more remarkable given the context of the game – Coates’ effort won the two points for the Storm with seconds remaining on the clock to ensure they maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
“It’s something that both Will and I practice so we are expected to make those plays when the chance comes,” Coates said.
“I wasn’t entirely sure if I had grounded the ball so I was it relieved when it was shown on the big screen. The reaction from the boys and the crowd was crazy.”
In the days since, it has been compared favourably to some of the greatest tries in the game’s history, prompting coach Craig Bellamy to praise Coates – and Warbrick – for the work they do at training to hone their skills.
“Xavier is one hell of an athlete, and he’s had one hell of a pre-season so what he’s doing at the moment doesn’t surprise anyone here because we know he’s put in the work and he’s getting the rewards for that,” Bellamy said.
“He’s been one of our hardest workers and he’s probably had the best pre-season of anyone we’ve had here, not just with his hard work but with catching the high ball and doing the things that he needs to do in his job.
“But he practices that and if he doesn’t practice it, he doesn’t score that try. Both Xavier and Will put in a lot of work to give themselves the best chance to do their job and score tries when the time comes.”
In the images obtained by this masthead, Warbrick can be seen with a tacking pad in his hands which he uses to shove Coates out of play. Coates’ challenge is to ground the ball before his body touches the ground, contorting himself and somehow retaining control of his body and the ball despite the threat of the sideline and mat looming.
Few do it better than Coates, whose background in athletics – in particular in the long jump and triple jump – had helped him carve out a successful rugby league career.
Coates has even drawn praise from rugby league’s rivals – among those to shower the Storm flyer with praise in recent days have been New Zealand All Blacks legends Sir John Kirwan and Mils Muliaina.
Coates won the Dally M tackle of the year three years ago after chasing down Dane Gagai when he was with the Brisbane Broncos. It is going to take something extra special to beat him to try of the year in 2024.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Xavier Coates try goes viral with 6 million views as behind the scenes footage proves it was no fluke
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