Ronaldo Mulitalo is set to be denied a State of Origin debut on the morning of the game after the NRL deemed him ineligible to represent Queensland.
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The New Zealand-born winger was in camp all week as 19th man before receiving a late call-up to the side when Reece Walsh suffered an injury during Saturday’s captain’s run.
Xavier Coates, who was dropped from the squad in the aftermath of the Maroons’ Game 1 humiliation, has been recalled in his place.
No sooner was Mulitalo’s eligibility being officially questioned by the NSWRL after an article surfaced from 2019 claiming he moved to Queensland just shy of his 14th birthday.
Under current eligibility requirements, players must have lived in either NSW or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday.
The NRL executive met on Saturday night and are reportedly set to deny 21-year-old Mulitalo his debut, just hours before kick-off at Suncorp Stadium.
The Maroons believed the Cronulla winger was eligible because he had already played for Queensland’s under-18 and under-20 sides, albeit potentially only because of administrative oversight.
Another option could be to shuffle bench utility Ben Hunt to five-eighth and regular No.6 Cameron Munster to fullback, however, the promotion of 18th man Coen Hess to the bench would still leave Queensland needing a late addition.
They are already without injured hooker Harry Grant and fullbacks Kalyn Ponga, AJ Brimson and Walsh, who was poised to debut after just seven NRL games.
The Blues trounced the Maroons 50-6 in Townsville and will start heavy favourites to secure the series in Brisbane.
PaulC
Guest
Not Under 20's SOO in those days? Just residency then?
Brades
Roar Rookie
Just wondering if Ronaldo is eligible to play for Australia ?... I believe so under different International eligibility rules . Who will Jarome Luai play for Australia or NZ ?... I thought I read where he wants to play for the Kiwis . Is State of Origin still , in part at least , a selection trial for the Kangaroos ? If so , I think we need to make some changes and tidy up the qualifications for both State and National representation honors , to be both more consistent and in sync.
Michael_1984
Roar Rookie
There are some times in life where one must go by the absolute letter of the rule. However this appears to be a case where just normal common sense discretion should be used and where the spirit of the rule should be applied rather than the letter of the rule. Question: Where would any of us be in our lives if for not at least once someone showing some compassion (not that Mulitalo did anything wrong) and using their common sense discretion rather than implementing the absolute letter of the rule? Indeed we've all almost certainly caught a few lucky breaks where people have decided to be humans and have used some reasonable measured common sense discretion rather than just robotically applying every letter of a rule. Don't get me wrong - there are still many times in life where the complete letter of the rule must be upheld. However, this certainly is not one of those times.
Republican
Guest
Yet another example of the farcical origin concept especially since both Rugby codes in the nation are a homogeny of PI's and Kiwis with Leagues dependancy more evident than ever. Is it any wonder NZ are our superior in league now given their over representation in the NRL.
Brades
Guest
Just wondering if Ronaldo is eligible to play for Australia ... Who will Jarome Luai play for Australia or NZ ? I read where he was quoted as saying he wanted to play for the Kiwis. Is State of Origin a selection trial for Australia ? If so so I think we have the qualification rules wrong .
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Could not agree more, what a terrible shame for him.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Real shame to have your chance to play for QLD snatched away from you like that, not just one game but to have to chance for ever taken away is a lot.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
The "Mulitalo Decision" and Queensland getting pounded for a few series probably won't do the Origin concept any harm . It might rekindle some of the feelings that made it such a success .
steveng
Roar Rookie
I say let him play irrespective of rules? As the Queenslanders will whinge anyway, Ronaldo Mulitalo won't make a difference anyway!
andrew
Roar Rookie
It's a deadset joke Geoff. Who's the Muppet responsible for the decision, Sgt Schultz?
Tony
Roar Guru
Hmmmm I'll just have to check the rules Fark :happy:
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Tony Dont care if Ronnies eligible for SOO ,just as long as he's eligible to run out for the Sharkies
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Tony,As if St Peter didn’t have enough on his plate sorting out COVID.Now this stuff up. I agree in this Age of dual nationality, multicultural diversity and transient workforce’s – a RL permanent Register needs to be Administered by the ARL.Maybe they could adopt one those Multi coloured Speadsheets you mentioned the other day.Failing that a Big White Board
Rob
Guest
Tony Abbotts a Pom. Who picked him?
Rob
Guest
Well Grasshopper unlike NSW Hollywood Harrigan had a sense of humour. Bill just sent everyone off.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
I would not put it past her but when it comes to the crunch she wants the money a packed Lang park brings.
Rob
Guest
I'm still dirty Barry won the Blues their first ever series for them. Even the NSW born Ref's Roberts, McCallum and Stone couldn't do that in the first 9 years. NSW sacked the international boys after the first 2 games (series)? They couldn't possibly know the rules they thought after Queensland won back to back series. So NSW wanted a 3 games series with Australian officials for game 1 and 2 and an international ref for game 3. Queensland agreed. After losing the series the blame was at the hands of the International Ref? Okay we want a NSW (K. Roberts) in charge of 2 out of 3 games ( 84 series)? Dam QLDers got luck for 8 out of the first 10 series. Tell you what thou NSW got lucky with Mitchell Pierce running behind the decoy (Finucane), drawing the defence so Ferguson could get on the outside and put Teddy over in the 79th minute in 2019 series. Imagine if the Bunker viewed the rules the same as they did in the Girls Origin clash?
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
He actually never qualified to play the junior rep teams either, somehow he was allowed to play
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your question Larry, I did a bit of research and found out that the Bondi Roosters ( although I don’t think that is their correct name) have two players in the NSW squad, one being the fullback James Tedesco and the other a back rower in Angus Crichton :thumbup:
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
But that’s in the Toads DNA they blame everybody else for there misfortune.I’m sure there gunna make a lot of excuses when they lose tonight .