Ben Te'o selection appears a gamble not worth taking for Maroons

BEN Te'o has the right to be considered innocent until proven otherwise, but does he deserve a State of Origin jersey?

NRL Footy

BEN Te'o has the right to be considered innocent until proven otherwise, but does he deserve a State of Origin jersey?

If this paper's mail is right, then the South Sydney forward will be named on the bench for Queensland tomorrow night. Despite the fact he is at the centre of an investigation from the NRL's integrity unit following an incident at the home of Bronco Corey Norman that left a young lady with a fractured eye socket.

It is a risky move, not on behalf of the selectors or coach Mal Meninga, but by the QRL and NRL.

Ultimately Meninga and his selection panel only pick a team from the best talent available.

And the QRL and NRL have deemed Te'o available. Distinguishing the facts of this case is proving difficult.

There are, as always, conflicting reports and recollections.

But one thing is undisputed, and that is the girl in question has a fractured eye socket.

Until it can be determined that Te'o wasn't responsible for it, as is being alleged, then it's questionable he should be playing at all, let alone playing in rugby league's showpiece event.

If he is stood down, the worst that can happen is that Te'o is denied an Origin appearance for his state.

If down the track he is found guilty of a serious assault those that allowed him to play will have done far greater damage to the brand and image of league.