The sight of Xavier Coates soaring through the air to score his third try against Cronulla last Saturday night wasn’t missed by Brian To’o.
The Panthers and NSW winger has clashed with Coates – who is 12cm taller – on the big stage several times now, but it was always a little unnerving seeing Coates leap as high as he did.
The footage of Coates jumping onto the back of Cronulla’s Daniel Atkinson and then grabbing the ball became a hit on YouTube.
One person commented, “Xavier was in the air longer than Katy Perry”, a cheeky reference to the pop singer’s recent trip to space.
Atkinson was still trying to work out how Coates did what he did, and being a fellow Queenslander, hoped there was more of it against To’o and the Blues on Wednesday night.
Coates plays on the left wing at club level, but generally moves to the right for Queensland, with Val Holmes starting on the left. That is certainly how NSW believe they will line up.
Brian To’o is bracing for another aerial assault from Xavier CoatesCredit: Stephen Kiprillis/SMH
“I was in disbelief the other night, I was looking at the ground because he had his knees in my back trying to grab the ball, and it was one of those ones where I was thinking to myself, ‘there’s no way he’s going to get this’,” Atkinson said on Friday.
“I watched the replay, and I was like, ‘honestly, what can I do there?’ Credit where credit is due. You had to appreciate what he just did.
“It’s almost a cheat code. You just have to get the kick in the right spot, and nine times out of ten, Xavier will come down with it.
“I’m a Queenslander. I hope he does it again next week. I’ll be cheering for him. I just hope he gets over the top of To’o and the other wingers, and doesn’t target halfbacks out there like I was – he can’t be too proud about that try the other night because it was against a No. 7.”
To’o, who heads to Suncorp Stadium one game removed from a hamstring injury, said he could not help but be amazed by Coates’ acrobatic finish. It brought back memories of Coates’ aerial effort to win a game against the New Zealand Warriors last year.
How’s the weather up there? Xavier Coates gets above Daniel Atkinson to score last Saturday nightCredit: NRL Images
“It looked like he was jumping over a building – that’s what he does best,” To’o said.
“I thought it was mad, as a winger watching another winger, that’s the kind of stuff all wingers want to do. He’s got the perfect build for a winger.
“I’ll be ready for moments like that on Wednesday. I’m always ready for those moments. I’m always respectful to all my opponents, but I respect them in a way where I try to give them my best as well.
“I’ve had a couple of matches against him now. It [The height difference] has never stopped me. I’m just out there, trying to represent all my ‘young, short brothers’.
“I’ll do my best and do my job.”
The mismatch in height between To’o and Coates was a hot debate four years ago ahead of that Origin series, only for the Penrith workhorse to more than hold his own.
Mick Ennis was one commentator who had reservations, but conceded after the game-one victory in Townsville when To’o bagged a double and had more than 25 carries: “I didn’t think they would pick Brian To’o, as good as he was going for Penrith, on the sheer fact I didn’t know if he would be able to handle opposing Xavier Coates. Tonight he completely proved me wrong.”
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