Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has been declined an exemption by the NRL to play State of Origin, ending his hopes of wearing the Maroons jumper at senior level.
Selected as a late injury replacement for Queensland in the second Origin game last Sunday, Mulitalo was himself replaced when questions surfaced about his eligibility.
The NRL said on Friday it saw no good reason to grant Queensland’s request for an exemption – noting that his appearances in Queensland Under 18 and Under 20 teams were based on incorrect declarations.
It said it would not be fair to other players who narrowly missed meeting eligibility critieria if he was granted an exemption.
Mulitalo used his social media channel to voice his disappointment.
“This isn’t the way I pictured my time ending in the maroon jersey,” he tweeted.
“Learnt many lessons in this journey but most importantly became a better man wearing this jersey. Here’s to new opportunities.”
Under Origin rules, players must be born in their representative state, have lived there prior to their 13th birthday or have a father who played for the state.
Mulitalo was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was 14 but was selected for Queensland in Under 18 and Under 20 Origin matches.
Ronaldo Mulitalo scores a try. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“In considering a request by the QRL for an exemption to the rules the NRL determined that, other than being wrongly allowed to represent Queensland at age group level, there was little to differentiate Mulitalo’s case from any other player who has narrowly missed Origin eligibility criteria,” the NRL said in a statement.
“Furthermore, the reason for Mulitalo representing Queensland at junior level was based on incorrect declarations.
“For these reasons, the QRL’s request for an exemption to the rules has not been granted.”
NRL boss Andrew Abdo said the game had to be fair to all players.
“While I acknowledge Ronaldo was wrongly allowed to represent Queensland at age group level, it doesn’t change the fact he was ineligible to play,” Abdo said.
“In considering the exemption we have not found good reason that would differentiate Ronaldo from any other player who narrowly misses Origin eligibility.
“It would not be fair to allow Ronaldo to play but deny eligibility to other players who would like to play Origin but narrowly miss the criteria.”
The NRL says it will work with the states to develop stronger quality assurance procedures in the declarations made by players regarding their eligibility.
Dragon footy head
Roar Rookie
Absolutely 100% he was a illegal player
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Interchangeable
GregM
Roar Rookie
Manly - or the Chooks?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
oh - so the form wouldn't have mentioned about being there at 13?
JGK
Roar Guru
At 15, You don’t fill out the form, someone else does and you sign it. And they and their parents tell you, don’t worry about that eligibility stuff, that’s only for senior SOO. And then a couple of years later they say, well you’ve already played for junior SOO so now you qualify for senior SOO. And all the while, you just want to play footy and don’t want to rock the boat. The irony is, now that he’s not eligible for Origin, he should be able to demand a premium on his contract because clubs know they aren’t going to lose him for 3 weeks a year.
Nat
Roar Guru
This again? Next you will be arguing against the MoM award going to a single player.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
Hey now , hey noooooow , don’t dream it’s oveeeerrr .
Tony
Roar Guru
Got it
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
That one of him screaming that they used in EVERY Roosters article.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
JGK - you don't know right from wrong at 15? you cannot read to fill out a form correctly at 15?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Yes - Rules are there to be obeyed (until it suits us to break them)
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
remember – it’s not a lie if “you” believe it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn_PSJsl0LQ
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
10 months off eligibility? what does that have to do with it? You don’t qualify then you don’t qualify – period. 1 day, 1 month, 1 year – it’s all the same – you don’t qualify.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
so if jnr NSW lost games with him playing, can they have the results null & void for Qld playing an illegible player?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Manly: Hey, can we have an exemption for a 17yo to play? NRL: No probs. Anything else we can do for you? QRL: Hey, can we have an exemption for this kid to play SoO? NRL: No. Rules are rules.
Tony
Roar Guru
Which one?
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
The origin eligibility rules are backward and outdated for an allegedly multi cultural country like Aus. It is really a shame that the code is run by a bunch of out of touch dinosaurs who lack any sense of seemliness. The thing is under the rules Mulitano could never qualify no matter what he does. Even if he lived for the next 50 years in Qld. So much for wokeness and inclusivity.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Not as bad as the JWH one.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
“Probably also gonna need to change that family eligibility rule eventually, to be a parent who played for the state not just a father.” Yeah in about twenty years .
JGK
Roar Guru
He was 15!