Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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COREY Oates is in the frame for Australian selection after ridding himself of the mental demons that come with nine surgeries at age 21.
Oates’ form is too good to ignore for Queensland while he is in a battle with Semi Radradra for Australia’s left wing position. For a bloke who has been under the knife more than most veterans, it is a remarkable rise.
Oates’ statistics are mind-boggling this season. Against the Knights on Saturday night he scored three tries, made four line breaks and busted six tackles. He is averaging more than 150m per game this year, putting him in the NRL’s top 10 in that category, and has six tries from just five games.
Oates’ hat-trick was the first of his career, in any competition he has played in. He was close to getting his fourth when Anthony Milford broke clear and went himself instead of passing to his winger, leading to a mock spray from Oates.
“I tried to make him feel bad. He got three himself. He deserved it,” Oates said.
“You try not to think about it but when it comes closer, it’s like ‘give me the ball’ ... It is a really good feeling to score a hat-trick, especially here at Suncorp.”
Oates said it was a “dream” to play Origin but for now, he just wanted to keep playing good footy.
“I want to keep making performances like that (Saturday night),” he said. “If an opportunity comes off the back of it, I will take it with both hands and try my hardest.”
Oates was candid in the lead up to the Knights game, admitting he was struggling for confidence after returning from yet another shoulder injury.
He has had surgeries on both shoulders, both wrists (the left one twice), both knees (the left one twice) and his left ankle.
Oates and Radrara are the form wingers of the competition but Mal Meninga is unlikely to debut two players on the flanks for Australia.
Darius Boyd could be used on the wing instead of fullback too.
Oates said he now had full confidence in the shoulder that was busted against New Zealand earlier this year.
“It felt gold out there. I didn’t feel it at all. That’s a good sign for me so I can go into next week not worrying about it,” Oates said.
“There was a bit of worry there the last two games. This week I have turned the corner and it came good.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...m/news-story/aa1c9ded2051f0466d7f3fe3715a198d
Oates’ form is too good to ignore for Queensland while he is in a battle with Semi Radradra for Australia’s left wing position. For a bloke who has been under the knife more than most veterans, it is a remarkable rise.
Oates’ statistics are mind-boggling this season. Against the Knights on Saturday night he scored three tries, made four line breaks and busted six tackles. He is averaging more than 150m per game this year, putting him in the NRL’s top 10 in that category, and has six tries from just five games.
Oates’ hat-trick was the first of his career, in any competition he has played in. He was close to getting his fourth when Anthony Milford broke clear and went himself instead of passing to his winger, leading to a mock spray from Oates.
“I tried to make him feel bad. He got three himself. He deserved it,” Oates said.
“You try not to think about it but when it comes closer, it’s like ‘give me the ball’ ... It is a really good feeling to score a hat-trick, especially here at Suncorp.”
Oates said it was a “dream” to play Origin but for now, he just wanted to keep playing good footy.
“I want to keep making performances like that (Saturday night),” he said. “If an opportunity comes off the back of it, I will take it with both hands and try my hardest.”
Oates was candid in the lead up to the Knights game, admitting he was struggling for confidence after returning from yet another shoulder injury.
He has had surgeries on both shoulders, both wrists (the left one twice), both knees (the left one twice) and his left ankle.
Oates and Radrara are the form wingers of the competition but Mal Meninga is unlikely to debut two players on the flanks for Australia.
Darius Boyd could be used on the wing instead of fullback too.
Oates said he now had full confidence in the shoulder that was busted against New Zealand earlier this year.
“It felt gold out there. I didn’t feel it at all. That’s a good sign for me so I can go into next week not worrying about it,” Oates said.
“There was a bit of worry there the last two games. This week I have turned the corner and it came good.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...m/news-story/aa1c9ded2051f0466d7f3fe3715a198d
