Coates cleared to play

PAPUA New Guinea winger Xavier Coates is set to make his debut for Queensland after scans on his injured shoulder revealed he had only suffered a low-grade sprain.
Results yesterday confirmed the good news for Coates and the Maroons released a statement to say that he had “shown significant improvement”.
The statement said the Maroons’ medical staff anticipated that he would be fit to play tomorrow night.
The 19-year-old Brisbane Bronco suffered shoulder damage at training on Sunday.
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans said yesterday that he was confident Coates would be able to take his place and wanted to give him as much time as possible to prove his fitness.
Coates was one of eight rookies named to debut in the Ampol State of Origin series opener at the Adelaide Oval.
Meanwhile, the Blues also received a boost yesterday with star fullback James Tedesco taking part in training with just light strapping on his left knee.
Last year’s Brad Fittler Medal recipient now appears almost certain to don the No.1 jersey for the Blues, with Clint Gutherson to debut for New South Wales in the centres.
Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans said despite the unusual nature of this year’s series, he expected the contest to be just as willing as any season come tomorrow night.
“One thing I’m not going to underestimate is the intensity of the game,” he said.
“I know the build-up’s been a little bit different but I’ve got no doubt in the next 48 hours, it’s going to ramp right up.
“As players, we’re extremely excited about the next three games and this one in particular down in Adelaide.
“It’s going to be crazy in the aspect that we’ve got three weeks of it in a row, that’s a sports fans dream, isn’t it?” – Agencies