State of Origin fireworks have started early after NSW Rugby League general manager Geoff Carr slammed Queensland’s decision to retain AFL defector Israel Folau, labelling it a “disgrace”.
And in a move sure to further infuriate NSW, Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore remained adamant that they had not performed a backflip by naming Folau for next Wednesday’s Origin II clash in Brisbane.
Carr could not hide his anger on Tuesday after Queensland kept Folau on the wing for the Suncorp Stadium showdown just days after claiming the Broncos star should not be picked following his multi-million dollar deal with the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney franchise.
“The Queenslanders came out last week – the general manager, coach and captain – and said as a matter of policy he shouldn’t be picked and then as a matter of convenience they pick him,” Carr told AAP.
“He’s the voice of AFL in western Sydney.
“I have to say it’s a disgrace.”
Carr said the AFL would be “rubbing their hands” over the announcement and believed a selection policy may need to be drawn up to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“Given the attitude of the Queensland board – who don’t seem to be able to make decisions in the best interests of rugby league – we may have to (draw up a policy),” Carr said.
Livermore told reporters last week following Folau’s AFL announcement that he did not believe the Broncos flyer should be picked for Origin II.
But on Tuesday Livermore said: “There’s no backflip at all.
“Last week I was approached about Izzy’s eligibility. I spoke to the coach (Mal Meninga) and senior players and their view was that we should probably look to the future,” he told AAP.
“Yesterday I had an approach by Mal who said that they had had a re-think … and they felt that seeing he was part of the first game and he is going to be playing in the NRL for the rest of the year they would like him to be considered.
“And we don’t pick the teams, we leave that to the selectors.
“And we (QRL) don’t ask the selectors to pick or not pick a player.
“So it’s not a backflip. A lot of people might say it is and if they do I can’t do anything about it.”
Asked if his personal opinion about Folau had changed, Livermore said: “I am not saying yes or no that that is still my view.
“Once a board decision is taken I can’t express a personal view on it.
“I had expressed a view but I had not considered the board previously, but I am part of a board and we implement their decisions.”
QRL chairman John McDonald tried to stamp out claims that Folau’s selection had caused internal friction.
“All players were considered – I said that last week. That has been the policy of the Queensland Rugby League,” he said.
Meninga believed the furore over Folau would only strengthen his side’s resolve as they look to seal a record fifth straight series win on Wednesday night.
“We have probably melded even closer together because of what has happened with the media interest at the moment,” he said.
“We accept that there is going to be arguments for and against Izzy being in the side.
“We have stuck solid by the team and that has been our mantra for the last 30 years.”
The man of the moment – Folau – said he would have “understood” if he had not been picked.
“I would have just gone on with my footy for the rest of the year with my club,” he said.
“But they have given me an opportunity to play again and I want to make sure I won’t let them down.”
Moonface
Roar Guru
Redb, Fair enough because of recent publicity Aussie Rules people are hopeful of getting more spectators for GWS, but I wouldn't get your hopes up that the masses are going to give up rugby league and follow Aussie Rules because of a couple of marketing signings. Won't happen in NSW or Qld. The State of Origin will actually get an even bigger audience, on top of its already record ratings because of Folau. The opposite will probably happen and more Aussie Rules types will start following rugby league because they like it. There is no Gold Coast team or GWS Aussie Rules team for anyone to like.
betty b
Guest
using that logic Corey, we'd pick the under tens for origin.
Gob Bluth
Guest
Oikee and Redb, you blokes are a match made in heaven. You are made for each other. But I think you should both review the levels of medications, I don't know if they need to go up or down but something needs to happen.
oikee
Guest
You really have no idea, Redb, let me introduce you to rugby league, a 2 state war. These dinosaurs we have running the game are ruthless, they were brought up on butting heads and kicking rocks, sometimes breaking them, "if you get my drift", Now why do you think origin takes on alife of its own, ? Mate, these 2 states dont just hate each other, they have rules in place between the 2 states so no one can ever be a winner. Take our governing panel for the advancement of rugby league, we have 6 memebrs from NSW, 4 members from QLD, and to get anything passed you need 75% of the vote.? And this has been going on for 100 years. So origin is not just about winning, its more of a victory for the state until next year, but they were not happy to keep it at that, they now have involved Melbourne in this war, yes, you can see it all unfolding right now. The Storm are becoming the most hated team in the comp, all played out by this vicousness that involves our leaders. The seed has already been planted and as ussual, most would have missed the occasion, but the eels are now Storms most hated rivalry, big time. Its a moment in time, and now its part of rugby league rivalries, wait until next year. Yes, i dont want to say to much,. Why do you think our independent commish is going to take so long to get up and running? It will, but i can gaurantee you now one thing, it will now have our ruthless network of dinosaurs involved, and they now have only one purpose to serve, and that is bringing down the afl, trust me, its a war that you will wish they never started by the time this mob is finished with you. As i said earlier, its going to get ugly.
Redb
Roar Guru
Oikee, Well perhaps they're milking it, saying they might ban Folau to get a lot of publicity then look like the good guys and let him play. but somehow i doubt it.
oikee
Guest
Hey Redb, our code is just getting the kick in the guts it has needed for about 20 years now. I know how these plonkers work, the worse case senerio for the AFL is for these pack of Hiheina's to be in charge next year. Dont underestimate these fools, they know what they are doing when it comes to code wars. Just today i have seen in fine print at the bottom of a rugby league story, they have officially declared war. It was in rugby league code, so not many noticed. The AFL really have not timed there run real good, if the commish was up and running, they would have got away with this, but our old dinosaurs are still in power, they love nothing better than a good scrap. Its going to get ugly.
Springs
Roar Guru
Hahaha. Rugby League fans turning against the game because of Folau, sorry but we don't follow some idiot named Carr, we follow the game, and we're fine.
oikee
Guest
It's a bit sad when your captain of Australia and Queensland comes out in the paper today and tells everyone that the AFL must be laughing there pants off at rugby league. He also questions the head of NSW rugby league, saying he should have keep his big mouth shut. What other code has, there own captain complain about the running of there game. ? Mate my 1st post this morning at 6am i said vertually the same thing. Lockyer is just repeating my own sentiments, my own disgruntled feelings for our hopeless cause, if he is feeling lost, what hope the rest of us. Send those letters lads, we want heads, we want heads to roll now, not next year, not in 5 years time, now.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Why not pick himand take advantage of AFL fan's interest in him now. Will no doubt lead to some extra press in Melbourne.
oikee
Guest
He plays for queensland, so he sits alongside god and the King. ;) We love our players, anyone who can love "the axe" are the best supporters in the world. :)
st penguin
Guest
What sort of reception do you think folau will get? He will cop it in Sydney but will he get the same reaction in qld? I hope so!
oikee
Guest
Jimbo, if you read the geelong paper you will find out that its a marketing ploy to gain what the afl calls, bums on seats in the biggest market, t/v veiwers. Like i said all along, it dont matter if you have 80 thousand crowds or 2 men and a dog, t/v pay's your wage. Now go back to what i said, Isreal Folau selection is ensuring bums on seats, not only in brisbane, but all around the country and also into over 90 other countries. State of origin is a living breathing goliath. Anything that gets in queenslands way will be chewed up spat out and left for the dog. :) I have never seen such fever, such antisapation, such passion, i just hope the blues make it out alive. :)
oikee
Guest
Betty , spot on, and quess what, today the ARL is talking about changing the rules. See this is our problem, they take 3 years to change the corner post rule, but they think they can change a player ruling overnite. This game is a joke with them in charge, a joke i tell ya.
jimbo
Roar Guru
Probably would have been more immature to have snubbed Folau and then created more anti rugby league sentiment for the fanatical Aussie Rules people down south. All this is for their benefit - not ours. I think the selection of "I play Aussie Rules Because it Pays Better" is a good motivator for the Blues (or it should be). Lewis was hard done by if Hayne got off scot free, but gutless Slater elbowed Hayne in the back of the head while he was held in a tackle and should have been reported to the judiciary as well.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
This choice of Izzy is a quick remedy for a long term problem. Who is going to be there when he is gone, this is the perfect time to be blooding new players like Yow Yeh or Hoffman or David Mead. While we have complete dominance we should be trying to get new guys to keep this team constantly rolling.
karlos
Guest
Good to see Izzy in the team. Great advertising for RL and the egalitarian qualities it still has.
Sylvester
Guest
Tahu is as much as defector as Folau, so it's a double-standard. Only difference is, he came crawling back when it didn't work out.
Betty B
Guest
Next step for NSW will be to change the rules - excluding greats like Folau from selection - like they have done throughout the history of Origin to gain some advantage. No wonder we hate them, umm, I mean dislike them. Cockroaches - who cares.
Penfold
Guest
Agreed.. Where the feck is this independent commission!! We've been hearing the same rubbish from Livermore and Carr for 15 years.
Stormin Red
Roar Rookie
Thurston would have only been suspended for the Rabbits game. With hindsight I wonder if he would have rather taken the weekend off?