New Zealand keen to pick Cronulla Ronaldo Mulitalo after Origin debacle
Ronaldo Mulitalo’s dream of representing the Maroons may have been blocked but the speedster is now a chance of earning even greater honours.
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Ronaldo Mulitalo’s representative career may have new life with New Zealand Test coach Michael Maguire confirming he was keen for the Cronulla winger to play for the Kiwis.
The Auckland-born flyer was sensationally denied a Queensland jersey after being ruled ineligible on the day of Origin II.
The Cronulla winger was later denied an exemption to represent the Maroons despite already playing for Queensland under-18s and under-20s.
But Maguire said the door would be open for Mulitalo to wear the black and white jersey, potentially as soon as the World Cup at season’s end.
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“Well and truly, definitely (interested). He’s moved into that space at the Queensland level so he’s seen what the top end of town is,” Mulitalo said.
“Being able to have someone like him come into the Kiwi team down the track is something we’re looking at for sure.
“I’ve spoken to Ronaldo, but we haven’t for a little while after internationals were put on the shelf for a little while.
“He’s very knowledgeable about the game, he’s very keen to play at the highest level. They’re the sort of things you look for in players.”
Maguire hosed down rumours the Tigers had moved on from recruiting Brisbane’s Tevita Pangai Junior and were now focused on landing Melbourne’s Dale Finucane.
“I don’t really comment (on that), management will deal with those sorts of things, they bubble in the background but we’re moving forward to tomorrow’s game, that’s the most important thing for me,” Maguire said.
The immediate concern for the Tigers will be making amends for the humiliating loss to Melbourne two weeks ago.
The Storm ran roughshod over the joint venture, running out 66-16 winners, and the Tigers face another tall order on Sunday when they take on South Sydney as they look to restore some pride in the jersey.
“We took a lot from that, from how the Storm played against us. They’re leading the way at the moment so you have to take what you can out of the experience that you have,” Maguire said.
“For a lot of the young guys it was the first time they played against a team like the Melbourne Storm.
“They got a lot out of that and how we utilize that in tomorrow’s game is something I’m looking forward to.
“It definitely hurt. But we have to move on.”
ARL COMMISSION MAKES MULITALO RULING
The NRL will aim to avoid another eligibility fiasco by introducing improved policing of state contracts after Ronaldo Mulitalo’s bid to play for Queensland was rejected.
The rising star’s dream to pull on the Maroons jersey at State of Origin level was quashed on Friday following the Queensland Rugby League’s failed bid for an exemption.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo made the decision to personally phone Mulitalo to explain the decision that has left the 21-year-old’s representative career in limbo.
Mulitalo was controversially withdrawn just hours before Origin II after it was deemed he was ineligible to play under the current rules.
Having previously represented the Queensland under 18s and 20s, Mulitalo was called-up to play for the Maroons against NSW last Sunday before it was later revealed he didn’t meet the criteria for selection.
As per the NRL’s rules, a player must have been born in the state they intend on representing or have lived there before their 13th birthday.
The QRL argued to the NRL that Mulitalo should be cleared to play for the Maroons in Origin III after already representing the state at youth level.
“The Origin rules are clear – if you are born outside of Queensland or NSW you must reside in one of the states before your 13th birthday. After further investigation Ronaldo does not meet that criteria,’’ Abdo said.
“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.
“In considering the exemption we have not found a 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 21-year-old former Australian Schoolboys star has been left gutted by the process that enabled him to pursue a dream to play for Queensland as a teenager – when under the rules, he should’ve been informed of his ineligibility at that time.
In a statement the NRL confirmed they would endeavour to avoid another situation like the Mulitalo embarrassment again.
“The NRL will now develop, with the States, stronger quality assurance procedures in the declarations made by players regarding their eligibility,’’ the statement read.
Mulitalo took to Instagram to voice his disappointment at the decision.
“I’ve officially been denied an exemption to represent Queensland going forward,’’ Mulitalo posted on social media.
“This isn’t the way I pictured my time ending in the maroon jersey.
“Learnt many lessons in this journey, but most importantly became a better man wearing this jersey.
“Here’s to new opportunities.’’
Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said Mulitalo had been let down by the QRL.
“It’s extremely disappointing for Ronaldo, who for the last few years has been working to achieve a dream,’’ Mezzatesta said.
“To then have this quashed because of some administrative error.
“I understand the rules are the rules, but it should never have happened to begin with.
“Our priority is to rally around Ronaldo and give him the support he needs.
“And being the professional that he is, I’m sure he’ll continue to demonstrate the qualities that are well beyond Origin level.”
QRL’S URGENT BID TO AVOID ANOTHER RONALDO DISASTER
The Queensland Rugby League has launched a last-ditch bid to have Origin heartbreak kid Ronaldo Mulitalo declared a Maroon and called for an urgent overhaul of the eligibility process.
Mulitalo became one of State of Origin’s most controversial stories when he was rubbed out just hours before last Sunday’s game at Suncorp Stadium.
The QRL withdrew Mulitalo, who had only been elevated to the team on match eve, after doubts were raised over his eligibility to play for the Maroons.
There was conjecture over when the New Zealand-born Mulitalo arrived in Australia, with speculation surfacing that he did not qualify to play for Queensland.
The current Origin eligibility rules require a player to reside in Queensland or New South Wales prior to their 13th birthday.
Mulitalo, 21, is understood to have not permanently relocated to Australia until he was around the age of 13 years and 10 months, ruling him ineligible to play for Queensland.
However, he had already represented Queensland at under-18 and under-20 level.
Upon investigating the issue, the NRL discovered discrepancies in Mulitalo’s Origin eligibility declarations in contracts he had signed.
Mulitalo declared he was not eligible for State of Origin in his first two contracts before changing his declaration in more recent paperwork submitted to the NRL.
There was a theory that Mulitalo would claim he spent time in Queensland prior to his 13th birthday, however the QRL is understood to not be using that as part of its argument.
Instead, the QRL wants Mulitalo declared a Queenslander on the basis he had already played underage Origin for the Maroons. Also, he only marginally missed the cut-off for residing in Queensland.
The QRL is hoping the NRL makes a decision on Mulitalo’s exemption application before coach Paul Green names his Origin III team on Monday.
“I don’t want to go into it because the decision is sitting with the NRL,” QRL CEO Robert Moore said.
“It’s best for Ronaldo and everyone to get a decision as quickly as possible.
“I spoke to him a fair bit over the weekend and it’s been difficult for him. We’ve got to get through this.
“We said we’d gather some information and put it forward to the NRL and we’ve done that.
“This is one that is unclear.”
Mulitalo was on the verge of making his Origin debut for Queensland after rookie Reece Walsh suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s captain’s run.
However his joy was short-lived when stories started spreading on Saturday night that Mulitalo may not meet Origin’s eligibility criteria and by Sunday morning he had been replaced by Xavier Coates.
The Maroons went on to lose 26-0, surrendering the series to NSW within two games.
The checks and balances around the Origin eligibility declaration have come under the microscope and Moore said he hoped a similar situation never happened again.
“We have picked up a couple of things that could be done to make things easier straight away,” he said.
“It’s not to do with the criteria itself, it’s to do with the process.
“You don’t normally pick those things up until you have a problem. That’s pretty normal with any process.”
The last game of the series will be played on July 14 and is expected to be moved from Sydney’s Stadium Australia due to Covid restrictions.
Mulitalo will face the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday in his last chance to impress selectors if he is granted an exemption to play for Queensland.
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