NRL 2024: Kangaroos defend Xavier Coates as online trolls attack ex-PNG star, Mal Meninga denies Kalyn Ponga punishment
The Kangaroos have defended Xavier Coates as social media trolls attacked after he switched allegiances from Papua New Guinea, while Mal Meninga denied suggestions he is punishing Kalyn Ponga.
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The Kangaroos have appealed for social media trolls to lay off debutant flyer Xavier Coates following his decision to switch allegiances from Papua New Guinea.
Coates has become the victim of online abuse after defecting from second-tier Test nation PNG to Australia for the Pacific Championships.
Born in PNG, Coates made his Test debut for the Kumuls in 2019, playing a one-off match against Samoa.
However the former Brisbane Broncos ace has risen to become one of the NRL’s top wingers at the Melbourne Storm and a 10-game State of Origin representative for Queensland.
Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou was planning to pick Coates for PNG’s Pacific Bowl tournament against Fiji and Cook Islands.
But Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has selected Coates to make his Australia debut against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Coates, 23, has been copping abuse from disgruntled PNG fans after switching allegiances and Kangaroos vice-captain Harry Grant urged them to ease off.
“He is going all right, he is a lovely bloke,” Grant said of his Melbourne teammate.
“Hopefully the Papua New Guinea people can see where Xavier’s coming from and stand side-by-side with him and celebrate his journey with the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships.
“We’re playing Tonga and New Zealand, we’re not facing PNG, so hopefully they can support the Kangaroos in those matches.
“I know how much PNG people love their rugby league. I’ve got a lot of supporters from PNG myself and I love and appreciate their support.
“It’s so special that Xavier has had the opportunity to represent his mum’s side. She’s a proud Papua New Guinean lady and now he gets to represent his father’s side.
“I’m hoping a lot of those PNG people can support Xavier on his journey in a Kangaroos jersey.
“He is surrounded by the best players in the game and that’s going to make him a better player and PNG people proud when he goes back to his club and Origin.”
Coates has become one of the NRL’s most popular players in PNG due to his heritage and the fact he is one of only a few current exports from the rugby league-obsessed nation.
Meninga said the Gold Coast-raised Coates was passionate about both of his representative nations and deserved an prestigious Kangaroos jersey.
“We all come from different backgrounds,” he said.
“We’re all multicultural. We all come from different parts.
“Xavier is very proud of his Australian heritage on his father’s side. He has played 10 Origin games for Queensland and was brought up on the Gold Coast.
“He is passionate about Papua New Guinea but wants to put the green and gold jersey on. That’s something he’s aspired to his whole life.
“We’re more than happy to have him around. He hasn’t been available the last couple of years because of injury but he deserves to be here.
“He is just as proud of his PNG culture as he is of his green and gold culture.”
While Coates will debut on the wing, Meninga will hand Dylan Edwards his first Kangaroos No. 1 jersey after selecting the Penrith gun ahead of Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga.
Edwards has played three Tests for Australia, but started on the wing every time due to former Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco having a mortgage on the fullback role.
Ponga originally withdrew from selection, citing a desire to focus on Newcastle’s upcoming pre-season following an injury-interrupted 2024 NRL campaign.
That prompted a firestorm, with Ponga later backflipping and making himself available following a conversation with Meninga.
However it wasn’t enough for Ponga to earn selection in Australia’s 21-man squad, prompting reports he was being punished for his initial reluctance to represent the Kangaroos.
“That’s not true,” Meninga fired when asked if that was the case.
“It never came into consideration. It’s hearsay, all that sort of stuff.
“We had a really good conversation and I was really happy with our conversation. He never has been (black-listed).
“We chose the team on merit. We sat around the selection table, there was six of us, and considered Kalyn a specialist fullback.
“We know he’s played 14 for Queensland but we believe he is a specialist and Dylan Edwards is the best number one in the game.”
ORIGIN RIVALS TO COMBINE IN HALVES FOR NEW-LOOK KANGAROOS
—Travis Meyn, Brent Read
Mitchell Moses is set to sign off on arguably the biggest week of his career by making his Test debut alongside Origin playmaking rival Tom Dearden on Friday night.
Moses will be one of six debutants in coach Mal Meninga’s side for the opening game of the Pacific Championships at Suncorp Stadium, pulling on the green and gold for the first time only days after he and partner Bri welcomed their second child into the world.
Moses broke Kangaroos camp to be by Bri’s side in Sydney on Monday night for the birth before flying back to Brisbane on Tuesday morning to rejoin the Roos as they prepare to face Tonga in the tournament opener,
The Eels playmaker hasn’t played since rupturing his bicep in the final game of the State of Origin series in July but regained his fitness in time to be available for Australia and will be one of six debutants on Friday night.
Dearden will debut in the halves and Storm flyer Xavier Coates on the wing alongside Blues leaper Zac Lomax (Dragons), fiery forward Mitch Barnett (Warriors) and Canberra back rower Hudson Young, who will come off the bench.
Among the fresh faces will be Origin foes Dearden and Moses – who will join forces following injuries to first-choice halves Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Cameron Munster (groin).
Queensland five-eighth Dearden and Blues halfback Moses went toe-to-toe in this year’s State of Origin series but they will put their differences aside for the green and gold.
Moses has already had a week to celebrate but Meninga has put his faith in the Eels talisman to now get the job done for his country in the Test arena.
“Mitch has been sensational,” he said.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy this year, but all the games he’s played he’s been up there with the best players.
“He got man of the match in game two coming off such a big break into Origin. He’s taken control of this footy team which we’re really happy about. His man management skills are fantastic.
“Congratulations to him and his wife – they just had a baby yesterday. He’s going through a really happy time at the moment.”
Dearden, 23, has become one of the game’s premier playmakers in recent years after resurrecting his career at the Cowboys following a turbulent three years in Brisbane.
He will cap the best season of his career with a Kangaroos debut on Queensland soil.
“Tommy’s had a terrific year and was probably the player of the series for Queensland,” Meninga said.
“He’s taken over the leadership role at the Cowboys along with Reuben (Cotter) and I’m really pleased we can give him an opportunity.
“It’s a growth period for most young people coming through the game. They’ve got to find their feet. Tommy had an opportunity early and you learn from these experiences.
“There’s a lot of pressure out there, particularly in the position he plays. He’s found his feet up there (at the Cowboys) and found a home.
“He’s born up there and went to school in Mackay so he feels like he’s part of the furniture and played accordingly.
“It was great faith by Todd (Payten, Cowboys coach) and the leadership group to make him co-captain.
“He is excelling at the moment and can only get better as a player and person.”
The Kangaroos ramped up their preparations with an intense opposed session against the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Tuesday morning as they prepare to face Tonga for the first time since a shock loss in 2019.
Meninga has opted for Canterbury’s Matt Burton as his interchange utility over Ben Hunt, admitting concerns around Tom Trbojevic’s shoulder prompted the decision.
“It was difficult,” he said of omitting Hunt.
“Tommy Turbo hasn’t played for a while so it’s precautionary around his shoulder.
“He’s having no problems at the moment but we’re making sure if anyone goes down out wide (we’ve got cover).”
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