‘Weeks away’: Storm boss confirms injury setback for Xavier Coates

His younger brother Phillip is about to make his NRL debut for the Broncos in Magic Round.

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But Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons star Xavier Coates is still a month away from selection after his club confirmed the towering winger has suffered a setback in his return from Achilles surgery in February.

Originally expected to back by Round 10, Storm Director of Football Frank Ponissi indicated Coates is now more likely to return some time in June.

“Slight hiccup in terms of returning,” Ponissi told the media, explaining Coates is running again but still some way from being able to handle the necessary training loads to play.

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“Xavier is running well but he’s not ready for full training, we’re hoping he will integrate into team training over the next two weeks so at this stage he’s still a few weeks away from returning to playing,” Ponissi continued.

The Storm has struggled to find a consistent replacement in Coates’ absence with Moses Leo, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown,Hugo Peel, Nick Meaney and Manaia Waitere all spending timeon the wing in the first 10 rounds of the season.

Given the 25-year-old is still yet to lace up a boot in anger in 2026, the latest setback will almost certainly rule Coates out of Queensland Maroons consideration for State of Origin Game II in Melbourne, and potentially the entire series.

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