Australia winger Xavier Coates has opened up about the severe online abuse he faced after choosing to represent the Kangaroos over Papua New Guinea in the recent Pacific Cup tournament. The 23-year-old Melbourne Storm star, who was born in Port Moresby to a PNG mother and Australian father before moving to Queensland as a child, found himself at the center of a social media firestorm when he accepted a call-up from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.
Coates, who had previously played for the PNG Kumuls, including at the 2022 World Cup, was labeled a “traitor” by some passionate Papua New Guinean fans who felt he had turned his back on his heritage. The vicious online backlash took a heavy toll on the young winger, who admitted it was “definitely tough to cop that sort of stuff”.
Speaking to reporters, Coates revealed that his Melbourne Storm and Kangaroos teammate Harry Grant had been a vital source of support during the ordeal. “Harry Grant was very supportive and he was a big advocate for asking everyone to back off me,” Coates said. The winger acknowledged that facing criticism is part and parcel of a professional athlete’s career, but emphasized the importance of learning how to deal with it in a healthy manner.
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.
– Xavier Coates
Coates Stands Firm in His Identity and Pride
Despite the intense scrutiny and personal attacks, Coates remains resolute in his sense of self and the pride he feels in his identity. “Everyone’s got their own opinion but I know who I am and I am proud of who I am,” he asserted. The dual-heritage athlete made it clear that external validation is not a driving force in his life, stating, “I don’t need to get judgement or satisfaction from other people about who I am.”
Coates expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Australia and play alongside some of the game’s most talented players in the Pacific Cup. “I am really proud to have made this squad and to have played with this calibre of players,” he said, highlighting the invaluable learning experience the tournament provided.
A Bright Future Ahead
While Coates’ younger brother Philip recently played for the Junior Kumuls, and PNG coach Jason Demetriou has expressed his desire to have the elder Coates back in the fold for the 2026 World Cup, the Melbourne Storm star’s impressive performances in the Pacific Cup suggest he may have a long-term future with the Kangaroos. Coates even crossed for his maiden Australia try in the thrilling 20-14 victory over Tonga in the tournament final.
(Playing against Tonga) was similar to an Origin and it was pretty cool to experience that.
– Xavier Coates
Looking ahead, Coates is focused on taking the lessons learned from his time with the Kangaroos and applying them to his club career with the Storm. “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,” he said, demonstrating a mature approach to his personal and professional development.
A Reminder of the Human Element in Sport
Xavier Coates’ candid discussion about the online abuse he endured serves as a poignant reminder that behind the jerseys and the on-field heroics, athletes are human beings with complex identities and emotions. As fans, it is crucial to remember the impact our words can have, especially in the age of social media where anonymity can sometimes breed cruelty.
Coates’ story also highlights the challenges faced by athletes with dual heritage, who may feel a strong connection to multiple nations and cultures. Ultimately, the decision to represent one country over another is a deeply personal choice that should be respected, even if it may disappoint some fans.
As Xavier Coates continues to forge his path in the world of rugby league, his resilience, pride, and commitment to personal growth stand as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere. While the road ahead may not always be smooth, Coates has shown that with the right mindset and support system, it is possible to rise above the noise and stay true to oneself.
Speaking to reporters, Coates revealed that his Melbourne Storm and Kangaroos teammate Harry Grant had been a vital source of support during the ordeal. “Harry Grant was very supportive and he was a big advocate for asking everyone to back off me,” Coates said. The winger acknowledged that facing criticism is part and parcel of a professional athlete’s career, but emphasized the importance of learning how to deal with it in a healthy manner.
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.
– Xavier Coates
Coates Stands Firm in His Identity and Pride
Despite the intense scrutiny and personal attacks, Coates remains resolute in his sense of self and the pride he feels in his identity. “Everyone’s got their own opinion but I know who I am and I am proud of who I am,” he asserted. The dual-heritage athlete made it clear that external validation is not a driving force in his life, stating, “I don’t need to get judgement or satisfaction from other people about who I am.”
Coates expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Australia and play alongside some of the game’s most talented players in the Pacific Cup. “I am really proud to have made this squad and to have played with this calibre of players,” he said, highlighting the invaluable learning experience the tournament provided.
A Bright Future Ahead
While Coates’ younger brother Philip recently played for the Junior Kumuls, and PNG coach Jason Demetriou has expressed his desire to have the elder Coates back in the fold for the 2026 World Cup, the Melbourne Storm star’s impressive performances in the Pacific Cup suggest he may have a long-term future with the Kangaroos. Coates even crossed for his maiden Australia try in the thrilling 20-14 victory over Tonga in the tournament final.
(Playing against Tonga) was similar to an Origin and it was pretty cool to experience that.
– Xavier Coates
Looking ahead, Coates is focused on taking the lessons learned from his time with the Kangaroos and applying them to his club career with the Storm. “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,” he said, demonstrating a mature approach to his personal and professional development.
A Reminder of the Human Element in Sport
Xavier Coates’ candid discussion about the online abuse he endured serves as a poignant reminder that behind the jerseys and the on-field heroics, athletes are human beings with complex identities and emotions. As fans, it is crucial to remember the impact our words can have, especially in the age of social media where anonymity can sometimes breed cruelty.
Coates’ story also highlights the challenges faced by athletes with dual heritage, who may feel a strong connection to multiple nations and cultures. Ultimately, the decision to represent one country over another is a deeply personal choice that should be respected, even if it may disappoint some fans.
As Xavier Coates continues to forge his path in the world of rugby league, his resilience, pride, and commitment to personal growth stand as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere. While the road ahead may not always be smooth, Coates has shown that with the right mindset and support system, it is possible to rise above the noise and stay true to oneself.
