Queensland suffer new injury setback as Coates goes down

Queensland’s Origin preparations have been thrown into disarray with wing debutant Xavier Coates breaking down in the lead-up to the series opener this Wednesday night.

Queensland rookie Xavier Coates bends over in pain after injuring his shoulder on the Gold Coast

Queensland’s Origin preparations have been thrown into disarray with wing debutant Xavier Coates breaking down in the lead-up to the series opener this Wednesday night.

The Maroons’ important Sunday session turned into disaster when Coates suffered a shoulder injury midway through training — putting the rookie winger in serious doubt for Origin I at Adelaide Oval.

In sweltering 29 degree heat, Maroons training seemed to be going smoothly when Coates — dubbed ‘Little Greg Inglis’ — jumped for a regulation high ball and came down holding his shoulder after being tackled by Queensland teammates.

The session stopped immediately with trainers racing to the Broncos sensation, who looked in pain and was helped from the field at Cbus Super Stadium.

The incident continues the narrative of Queensland’s injury-hit campaign. Key incumbents Michael Morgan, Kalyn Ponga and Moses Mbye have already been ruled out of this year’s historic November series and now Coates’ injury could force a backline reshuffle for the series opener.

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett told News Corp the 19-year-old, selected to make his debut on the left wing, would be assessed over the next 24 hours and given until game day to prove his fitness.

Fellow Queensland debutant Brenko Lee remains confident Coates will get the medical green light to take his place in the Maroons’ No 2 jumper.

“When he went down, I went and spoke to him,” Lee said.

“He was in good spirits, I was with him for a minute or two and he said he just felt a burner.

“Usually if it’s a bad injury they will scream and not want anyone around, but he was calm and thought it was just a burner.

“If he is ready, he will play well for us. Xavier has been great at the Broncos and I’m sure he is up to this level.”

Should Coates be officially ruled out, Titans flyer Phillip Sami will come into the side for his Origin debut.

Sami was named in the No 5 jumper by coach Bennett when Queensland’s 21-man squad was unveiled last Thursday, but he was set to be omitted in favour of 18th man Kurt Capewell.

If Coates’ shoulder prevents him facing the Blues, heartbreak kid Sami will be back in the Queensland side defending outside Capewell, who trained at left centre on Sunday, rubber-stamping his Origin debut.

The injury-ravaged Maroons can do without a late backline reshuffle, but veteran Queensland prop Josh Papalii is hopeful PNG international Coates will feature in Origin’s inaugural clash on South Australian soil.

“I didn’t even see him go down,” Papalii said.

“I was in the middle and it was frantic there so I didn’t have time to look out on the wing.

“Xavier is a big boy and I’m excited to see how he goes … hopefully he is all right.”

The Courier-Mail