QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher takes aim at the NRL amid allegations of a ‘rotten’ culture in Queensland State of Origin camp

A political war has broken out in the wake of Queensland’s Origin campaign, with QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher left seething by claims his organisation is incompetent.

Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has launched an explosive attack on NRL hierarchy as a high-level political war breaks out over the Maroons’ drama-charged Origin campaign.

A fed-up Hatcher has hit back at allegations the QRL is a “shambolic” organisation with a ”rotten” culture and has challenged NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to come forward with a formal ‘please explain’ over Queensland’s management of their 2-1 series loss to NSW.

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The build-up to Origin III last week was rocked by a report claiming NRL bosses wanted answers from the QRL over a number of matters, including the Ronaldo Mulitalo eligibility saga and the Jai Arrow Covid-breach scandal.

Hatcher was also stunned by suggestions Queensland’s participation figures have declined, despite QRL data showing playing numbers this year are 62,330 — the highest registration figures in the Sunshine State in six years.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher is furious at suggestions the Queensland Rugby League is a shambolic organisation.

Hatcher, who has more than 50 years’ experience in rugby league, took aim at the NRL, slamming suggestions of QRL incompetence and challenging the code’s bosses to contact him personally.

“I’ve had enough s*** thrown at me over my and the QRL’s perceived incompetence through this series,” Hatcher fired.

“I’ve been doing this a long time. I know my roles and responsibilities and I don’t like allegations being made about me and the Queensland Rugby League when the veracity of the information isn’t checked.

“If the NRL has a problem with us, don’t go through the press ... call me directly and then I’ll explain our actions.

“The stitch-up has got personal and it’s all one-way traffic.

“I find it amusing that the NRL apparently wants a please explain from the QRL for losing two matches in a State of Origin series.

“I didn’t see the NRL asking the New South Wales Rugby League for a please explain when the Blues lost eight-straight series.

“If Andrew Abdo or Peter V’landys (ARL Commission boss) have an issue, I’m more than happy to talk to them directly.

“That’s how I operate. I go through the front door. We’re not sticks-and-stones people.

“I’ve read all the problems we’ve got, but no-one at the NRL has spoken to me about it.

“Amazingly, I’m still in the job.

“I would like the NRL to tell the QRL exactly what we’ve done wrong and I’ll happily outline our position.”

It is understood the NRL, currently focused on the code’s Covid relocation crisis, are seeking more information on Queensland’s Origin campaign.

ARL Commission boss V’landys insists he has no personal issue with Hatcher, saying: “Bruce knows what I’m like. If I have an issue with him or the QRL, I will speak to him directly, that’s my style.”

Hatcher hit out at suggestions the Arrow affair was a damning insight into Queensland’s team culture.

He also defended the QRL’s reputation over the eligibility drama that saw Mulitalo sensationally ruled out on the day of Origin II.

Hatcher challenged NRL CEO Andrew Abdo (left) or ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys to contact him personally if they have an issue.

“We have different roles and responsibilities to the NRL,” he said.

“The Mulitalo issue didn’t just involve the QRL, his contracts were registered by the NRL, so they can’t just point the finger at us.

“There are suggestions we are a shambles. We’ve been called leaderless. I’ve been on boards and in administrative positions for 30-plus years and we have a very strong board, so we have a very credible management team.

“We’ve been accused of a rotten culture because we lost two games and had an exceptional behavioural issue with one player (Arrow).

“Amazingly our culture re-appeared the other night when we won Game Three.

“Financially, we have strong cash reserves and our participation numbers are actually up, so maybe the NRL should check their facts and give me an opportunity to explain why the QRL is supposedly shambolic.

“We act in good faith, we tackle the problems in front of us and we are totally committed to promoting rugby league in Queensland.

“Our playing numbers are actually up.

“I hold the QRL to high standards and if the NRL believe we aren’t meeting certain standards of accountability, well provide us the forum to explain where we are falling short.

“If the NRL have an issue, well make the phone call and I’m happy for us to be scrutinised.”

Originally published as QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher takes aim at the NRL amid allegations of a ‘rotten’ culture in Queensland State of Origin camp