State of Origin 2017: Broncos winger Corey Oates hospitalised by staph infection

COREY Oates missed his final opportunity to impress Maroons selectors for a spot in the State of Origin decider after being hospitalised.

BRONCOS star Corey Oates has been rocked by a serious infection that has left him hospitalised and cruelled any chance of a State of Origin recall.

Oates has been in a Brisbane hospital since last Friday to be treated for a staph infection, which left the towering winger in excruciating pain.

The 22-year-old missed his final opportunity to impress Maroons selectors for a spot in the Origin decider and is not expected to be released for several days.

Oates last year went through a heart scare and had to be cleared by a cardiologist to make his Origin debut.

Broncos CEO Paul White visited Oates in hospital on Monday and said his condition had improved.

“He’s got a staph infection and is on antibiotics,” he said.

“He will stay in as long as they require.

“When I visited him he was in good spirits.

Oates has been in hospital since last Friday.

“They know there is an infection and they can now treat it.

“They will continue to monitor him. Hopefully he responds well and we will take it day-by-day.”

Oates reported significant pain in his lower back, hips and legs to Broncos medical staff before training last Thursday and sat out the session.

He was admitted to hospital the following day and missed Brisbane’s clash against the Storm at Suncorp Stadium.

With Queensland losing Broncos skipper Darius Boyd (broken thumb) for next Wednesday’s decider, Oates was in the frame for a recall after being dropped for Game Two.

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But he did not get the chance to press his claims and is now fighting to return for the Broncos in Saturday week’s clash against Newcastle.

“He requires plenty of rest at the moment,” White said.

“They have got on top of the pain and those issues he was experiencing on Thursday.

“He’s still got a fair bit of recovery in front of him but they know what they are dealing with.

“It’s way too early to make those decisions (on when he will play). The doctors will make those decisions and we will always take the utmost caution and care.

Oates was dropped after Origin I.

“The priority is to get him well. Once he is well then we can look forward to when he can play again.

“My immediate concerns and that of the club is that he responds well to the treatment and we can take it from there.”

Oates underwent nine operations before he was 21 for a range of injuries but has managed 89 NRL games for the Broncos.

He played all three games of last year’s Origin series but was dropped after scoring Queensland’s only try in Game One this year in a decision which was criticised by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.