Test winger Xavier Coates has spoken of his pride at representing Australia after being subjected to severe online abuse for his decision to play for the Kangaroos ahead of Papua New Guinea.
The Melbourne winger made his Test debut for the Kumuls as an 18-year-old in 2019 prior to his NRL debut for Brisbane.
He was also part of PNG's squad during the 2022 World Cup.
Coates was born in Port Moresby to a Papua New Guinean mother and Australian father and relocated to Queensland as a child.
But Coates's strong form for the Storm led to Mal Meninga calling him into the Kangaroos for their successful Pacific Cup campaign.
Coates's decision to accept the Kangaroos call-up ahead of PNG prompted fierce backlash online.
The 23-year-old was inundated with social media abuse from Kumuls fans, with some going as far as to label Coates a traitor to PNG.
"It's definitely been tough to cop that sort of stuff," Coates told AAP.
"Harry Grant was very supportive and he was a big advocate for asking everyone to back off me.
"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.
"Everyone's got their own opinion but I know who I am and I am proud of who I am.
"I don't need to get judgement or satisfaction from other people about who I am.
"I am really proud to have made this squad and to have played with this calibre of players."
Despite the criticism from PNG fans, Coates found an ally in former Kumuls star David Mead, who urged fans from his country to get off the Storm star's back.
Mead called the commentary surrounding Coates's decision to represent Australia instead of PNG "senseless" and said decisions such as these are "personal and deserve our respect".
"It’s important for us all to remember that athletes don’t owe anyone a choice based on pressure or expectations. These moments should be celebrated as they reflect the diversity, strength, and unity of our great game of rugby league," he wrote in a statement on Facebook.
"As proud Papua New Guineans and sports fans, let's rise above the negativity. Let’s be an example of how to celebrate our athletes, no matter where they play, and show them that we’ll always support them on and off the field.
"I stand with Xavier, and I encourage you all to do the same."
Coates' younger brother Philip played for the Junior Kumuls last month and PNG coach Jason Demetriou has previously stated he would love to have the Storm winger on deck for the 2026 World Cup.
But Coates may see himself a realistic prospect for the Kangaroos come that tournament after an impressive Pacific Cup campaign that was capped with his maiden Australia try against Tonga in Sunday's 20-14 win.
The Kangaroos are scheduled to tour England next year.
"(Playing against Tonga) was similar to an Origin and it was pretty cool to experience that," Coates said.
"These boys are the best of the best at their respective clubs and it's a massive opportunity for me to learn off those guys.
"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."
AAP/ABC