NRL great lashes out at ‘senseless’ online abuse of Kangaroos winger after Storm star opts to play for Australia over PNG

A former Papua New Guinea star has lashed out at ‘senseless’ online abuse that has been directed towards Kangaroos winger Xavier Coates.

The Storm winger, 23, starred during Australia’s 20-14 Pacific Cup victory on Sunday afternoon, in what was his second Test appearance for Australia.

He touched down for a sensational try during the first half of the match. Coates sensationally managed to avoid the touchline with a superb dive to help Australia undo the heartache of last year’s final defeat by New Zealand.

Coates was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He moved with his family to Australia when he was young, before settling on the Gold Coast.

He would make an appearance for Papua New Guinea at age-grade level in 2019, before making his NRL debut for the Broncos a month later.

Xavier Coates has been subjected to online abuse after opting to play for Australia over PNG

He starred during Australia’s Pacific Cup victory on Sunday, scoring a sensational diving try

Former PNG star David Mead (pictured) has come to Coates’ defence claming the abuse being made towards him was ‘senseless’ 

Before making the switch to play for Australi, he had also been a part of PNG’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Coates has enjoyed a strong run of form with Storm over the past few seasons, scoring 16 tries in 2023, before touching down 10 times in 2024.

Meninga subsequently opted to include him in his Kangaroos squad, but the 23-year-old has unfortunately received abuse online for opting to play for Australia over PNG.

Mead, who won 15 caps for the Kumuls and enjoyed a decorated NRL playing for the Titans and Broncos before joining up with Super League side Catalan Dragons, has lashed out at those who lambasted Coates online.

‘It’s important for us all to remember that athletes don’t owe anyone a choice based on pressure or expectations. These moments should be celebrated as they reflect the diversity, strength, and unity of our great game of rugby league,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘As proud Papua New Guineans and sports fans, let’s rise above the negativity. Let’s be an example of how to celebrate our athletes, no matter where they play, and show them that we’ll always support them on and off the field.

‘I stand with Xavier, and I encourage you all to do the same.’

Coates has also spoken out on the abuse he has suffered online.

‘It’s definitely been tough to cop that sort of stuff,’ he said to AAP.

‘Harry Grant was very supportive and he was a big advocate for asking everyone to back off me.

‘You will always cop a backlash for whatever you do in your career but it’s about how you deal with that and I’m still learning to do that.

‘Everyone’s got their own opinion but I know who I am and I am proud of who I am.

‘I don’t need to get judgement or satisfaction from other people about who I am.

‘I am really proud to have made this squad and to have played with this calibre of players.’

Mead wrote on Facebook ‘I stand with Xavier (right), and so should you’ as he addressed the messages Coates had been sent 

Coates has enjoyed an excellent few seasons with Melbourne Storm, earning hisplace in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad 

It comes after Coates’ younger brother Philip also turned out for the Junior Kumuls last month.

Coates, though, is relishing the opportunity to play on the international stage, with the Melbourne outside back claiming he’s using the opportunity to learn from some of the more experienced stars in the Australia squad.

‘These boys are the best of the best at their respective clubs and it’s a massive opportunity for me to learn off those guys,’ he added.

‘I’ve got to go back to the drawing board, go back to club-land and play some good footy and hopefully it’s a stepping stone for me to take some learnings from this camp and improve myself.’