A host of Kangaroos stars have urged social media trolls to stop abuse being hurled at debutant Xavier Coates after he switched his allegiance from PNG to Australia.

The Storm flyer made his decision to represent the Kangaroos over the Kumuls ahead of the 2024 Pacific Championships, having made his debut for the second-tier Test nation in 2019.

Despite Jason Demetriou hopeful of picking Coates, he was then called into Mal Meninga’s squad and will now play his first game for Australia against Tonga on Friday.

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Disgruntled PNG fans have hitting Coates with a wave of abuse, and Kangaroos vice-captain Harry Grant has thrown his support behind his teammate, speaking to The Daily Telegraph.

“He is going all right, he is a lovely bloke,” Grant said.

“Hopefully the Papua New Guinea people can see where Xavier’s coming from and stand side-by-side with him and celebrate his journey with the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships.

“I know how much PNG people love their rugby league. I’ve got a lot of supporters from PNG myself and I love and appreciate their support.

“It’s so special that Xavier has had the opportunity to represent his mum’s side. She’s a proud Papua New Guinean lady and now he gets to represent his father’s side.

“I’m hoping a lot of those PNG people can support Xavier on his journey in a Kangaroos jersey.”

Meninga also explained Coates is just as proud of his PNG heritage as he is of his Australian background, growing up on the Gold Coast.

Due to his heritage, Coates is one of the NRL’s biggest names in the Pacific nation, having been born in Port Moresby in 2001.

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