Corey Oates’ positional switch as Broncos seek redemption against Manly

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has wielded the axe in the wake of the 59-0 Roosters rout with Corey Oates’ back-row baptism among nine changes as the Broncos look to reclaim lost pride against the Sea Eagles.

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Corey Oates has been urged to embark on a “seek-and-destroy” mission when the Queensland Origin winger makes a positional switch to the back row for Thursday night’s clash against Manly.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has wielded the axe in the wake of the 59-0 Roosters rout with Oates’ back-row baptism among nine changes as Brisbane look to reclaim lost pride at Central Coast Stadium.

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Te’o will make his return to the NRL after six years in rugby union. Picture by Annette Dew.

The shake-up includes:

● Seibold axing starting back-rowers Jamil Hopoate and Ethan Bullemor;

● Maroons prop Joe Ofahengaue promoted from the bench to join Oates in the starting back row;

● Jesse Arthars dropped at right centre, allowing Kotoni Staggs to return from suspension;

● Boom 19-year-old Xavier Coates called into the starting side to replace Oates on the wing;

● Senior prop Matt Lodge elevated into the starting side at the expense of Tom Flegler, who returns to the bench; and

● New recruit Ben Te’o catapulted onto interchange just six days after signing with the club.

But the most significant tactical move is the transition of Oates, who faces a torrid workover from the Sea Eagles in his shift from the backline to the forward pack.

If there is anyone Seibold can trust to handle the change … Photo: Peter Wallis

Oates has played 146 first-grade games for Brisbane, almost exclusively on the wing, but the Maroons flanker has always craved a return to the back row position in which he was graded by the Broncos.

There are concerns over Oates’ ability to handle the effort-on-effort workload in the back row, not to mention defensive reads, but Seibold is confident the 25-year-old will relish the change.

“We need to look at adding some experience to the back row,” Seibold said.

“‘Oatesy’ has come through as a back-rower, he has always wanted to play back row so I feel he can do the job there this week.

“We need to turn our performance around this week and we will make some positional changes. Corey Oates will spend some time in the back row with the injuries we’ve got to our starting back-rowers.”

Former Maroons lock Scott Sattler played 203 NRL games in the forwards and urged Oates to set the pace against the Sea Eagles.

“It should be a seek-and-destroy mission for Corey in the first 15 or 20 minutes,” he said.

“Corey played a lot of back-row as a younger guy so he knows the position. What he can do really early on in the game is lift the tempo and create some damage early on.

“Corey makes some fearless runs from the wing and he can inspire those around him.”

Oates can bring something different to the Broncos’ play. Photo: Peter Wallis

Seibold has kept faith in halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft and challenged the Broncos to hit back after slumping to their worst loss in the club’s history last week.

“I have been coaching for 15 years in regards to what needs to be done in the short term,” he said.

“We are focusing on a few critical things, if we narrow our focus to Thursday night’s game against Manly and that’s the best way forward for us.

“I wanted the group to come in hurting a bit over the weekend and have to put in some hard work, that’s the reality after the first two weeks.

“People can’t forget we are 2-2. We have been really poor the last three halves of footy, but I have belief in the group and we are narrowing the focus to two or three things and if we focus on this week we will give a good performance.”

The Broncos need a lot more from their halves. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

Te’o played 75 games for the Broncos between 2009-12 and only signed with the Broncos last Thursday after securing a release from Japanese rugby outfit the Sunwolves.

The 112kg forward has been keeping fit during the COVID-19 saga by training at Red Hill and while he hasn’t played NRL for six years, Seibold believes Te’o can add some impact against the Sea Eagles.

“Ben Te’o will come into our 17,” Seibold said.

“It’s another opportunity to have a bigger body in our group and he has a lot of experience.

“We didn’t have Ben train with us last week, but he has trained a couple of times now, we only need him to play a small role off the bench for us.

“I just think having him part of the group is important. He has played in the biggest games in both codes around the world (having played for England in rugby).

“To add a big body, ideally it would have been great for Ben to play a game of Queensland Cup but we don’t have that luxury this year.

“I thought long and hard about it, he trained really well on Sunday and although he hasn’t been league for some time we feel he can do the job for us.”

Originally published as Corey Oates’ positional switch as Broncos seek redemption against Manly