Queensland coach Paul Green has suggested the blame for Ronaldo Mulitalo’s cruel State of Origin withdrawal on the morning of the game lies with the NRL.
A late call up after injury on Saturday to Reece Walsh, Cronulla winger Mulitalo was quickly under investigation when questions were raised about the New Zealand-born talent’s eligibility.
The Maroons were unable to prove he had arrived in Australia before his 13th birthday and, despite Mulitalo playing under-18s and under-20s for Queensland, were forced to withdraw him or face the possibility of forfeiting.
Xavier Coates, dropped after the game-one loss, was hastily recalled and rushed into Queensland camp just eight hours before kick-off at Sucncorp Stadium, where the Blues piled on the pain in a 26-0 win that clinched the series.
The QRL hope to prove Mulitalo is eligible by producing documents that show he did arrive in Australia before he turned 13.
He is also a chance of receiving the green light to play in Game 3 by virtue of the ARL Commission’s discretionary powers.
Green indicated Queensland would be up for a fight.
“It’s obviously a massive breakdown in the process and I don’t think that’s finished yet,” he said.
“All the information that was available to us, (indicated) he was able to play.
“He signed his last two contracts and in that he signed his eligibility to say he was.
“We don’t register the contracts, we aren’t part of that process.
“We just get a list off a database (from the NRL) that says they’re eligible based on that.”
Green has plenty on his plate after the loss followed a record 50-6 hiding in Townsville and Sunday marked the first time Queensland had been kept scoreless in Brisbane.
It also left the Blues on track to record the most dominant series win in history, beating the 62-point differential NSW managed in 2000.
“We probably have to adjust a few things in camp (in Game 3), we’ve got nothing to lose,” skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said.
“Again we’re looking for the answers, but (in terms of) the motivation factor, you’d have to say their’s is a lot higher than ours at the moment.”
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
From a nameless journo or NRL hack who advised David Trodden who then rang V'Landys to get some action . The fact that the rules are so cloudy on eligibility forced Qld to pull him out. But your right not a good look but not surprising.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'd like to know who informed the NRL that Queensland were fielding an ineligible player and why they waited until 8 pm to drop a highly disruptive bombshell on game eve. A pretty low dog act as far as I can tell. NSW don't really need to resort to classless acts to have won that game.
Dragon footy head
Roar Rookie
Interested to know if he was ineligible for Origin and he has represented Qld as a junior U18's and 20's does that mean all the victories he has been involved in Qld colours should now not be counted and be seen as a loss because Qld fielded a illegal player just putting it out there for thought
eels47
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah, sorry Greeny, it was your mob that selected a player who isn't eligible.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Employer needs a driver with a HC licence Guy says he has a HC license. Employer doesn't check to ensure new employee has HC license Employee gets pulled by police for driving vehicle he is not licensed to. Employer has to call in another driver to pick up the load Employer blames police for the whole situation