Blindside: Red Hill isn’t turning green, Tigers eye Titans flyer, Oates on the move
The switch is still on for Corey Oates at Red Hill with the winger open to a move that could make or break Brisbane’s 2020. Read that and more in today’s Blindside.
Broncos
Don't miss out on the headlines from Broncos. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RICH TEEN: Broncos to cash in on Fifita saga
Broncos star Corey Oates hasn’t given up on his quest to become a backrower as rising wingers Herbie Farnworth and Xavier Coates put pressure on the Brisbane sensation.
Oates is coming off one of his worst NRL seasons and received a brutal summation of his efforts in 2019 by coach Anthony Seibold.
While he may be one of the game’s premier wingers, scoring 92 tries in 142 games, Oates has long held ambitions to play in the forward pack.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
MORE NRL NEWS
SHATTERED FORAN OPENS UP ON INJURY HELL
DOCO INSPIRES BOYD TO TURN BRONCOS VEGAN
Oates, 25, will have some competition for wing berths at the Broncos next year after Farnworth and Coates made their NRL debuts in 2019.
Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett was not interested in moving Oates, but Oates reckons he could still make the switch to the back row as his career progresses.
“I was always having a good laugh about moving into the backrow now but I think every player starts to slow down when they get a bit older in their thirties,” he said.
“Time will tell for me. If I have to move in I will. The option will hopefully be there.
“That is something I will have to decide when the time comes. If I am not as fast and can’t do all I possibly can out on the wing then backrow could be the option when I am old and slow.”
Oates has re-signed with the Broncos for the 2020 season and has options in his favour for 2021-22.
SEIBOLD SAYS BRONCOS WON’T TURN VEGAN
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold won’t be pushing his players to turn vegan.
Darius Boyd has been spruiking the benefits of a plant-based diet to his teammates after watching the hugely popular Netflix documentary The Game Changers.
Boyd has been experimenting with the diet along with the likes of Patrick Carrigan and Tevita Panga Jr.
Most Broncos players have gone cold on the diet quickly apart from Boyd, who is looking to bounce back from one of the toughest seasons of his NRL career.
A keen academic, Seibold has researched the science behind veganism and won’t be pushing players to follow Boyd’s lead.
The Broncos coach will be leaving his players to make dietary decisions for themselves, trusting they will look after their bodies.
TIGERS ZERO IN ON TITANS FLYER
Wests Tigers have set their sights on off-contract Gold Coast flyer Phillip Sami.
Blindside can reveal the Tigers are preparing to go on a spending spree and have Sami in their plans along with Roosters star Latrell Mitchell.
Sami, 22, has played 42 NRL games for the Titans since debuting in 2017, scoring 21 tries.
The classy winger could move into the centres as his career progresses and is being monitored by the Queensland Origin team.
Sami is off-contract at the end of the 2020 season and has to prove to new Titans coach Justin Holbrook he is worthy of a new deal.
If he doesn’t remain at the Titans, expect the Tigers to have a red hot crack at luring him to Concord.
BITTERSWEET VIEWING FOR HOLBROOK
New Titans coach Justin Holbrook will miss the chance to coach in the World Club Challenge.
Holbrook arrived on the Gold Coast earlier this month after leading St Helens to the 2019 Super League premiership.
St Helens produced a remarkable season, losing only three games, to reach the grand final where they beat Salford.
St Helens will host the Sydney Roosters at their home ground on February 22, but Holbrook won’t get the chance to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has been appointed St Helens coach and will oversee their WCC tilt.
Blindside is certain Holbrook will be watching closely and it could be a bittersweet moment for the new Titans coach following an extremely successful stint in England.
MATE MA’A TO RECEIVE CHAMPION’S WELCOME
TONGA’S national heroes will on Friday be celebrated for their heroics in beating the Kangaroos.
A public holiday will be held in the pacific nation and a ticker-tape parade for the players who famously beat Australia in a Test match a fortnight ago.
About 15 of the victorious players have flown to Tonga for the celebration and were hosted by the King on Thursday night.
The country has barely stopped celebrating its famous victory in what was one of rugby league’s greatest ever moments.
KNIGHTS SNAP UP COWBOYS CENTRE
Former Cowboys centre Enari Tuala has received an NRL lifeline from the Newcastle Knights.
Tuala, 21, has signed a two-year deal with the Knights after being let go by North Queensland.
The former Junior Kangaroos representative debuted for the Cowboys in 2017 and club officials thought he would become a permanent fixture in the team.
But he managed only 18 games across three seasons, including seven in 2019, and was not offered a new deal by the Cowboys.
Tuala arrived in Newcastle this week where he will play alongside former North Queensland teammate Kalyn Ponga.
Maroons legends back Madge to succeed at Broncos
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has won over some of the Maroons all-time greats, with a posse of Queensland legends backing him to end Brisbane’s premiership drought.
‘It’s just a number’: Rep star set for switch
Patrick Carrigan may be one of the best locks in the world, but he’s willing to play a new role in 2025 if it helps the Broncos.