‘It was heartbreaking’: Mulitalo opens up on brutal call which stopped him from representing Queensland

Ronaldo Mulitalo can’t wait to see Nicho Hynes get his crack in the Origin arena after he controversially missed out on the chance to represent his state himself two years ago.

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo says it was “heartbreaking” to miss out on a potential State of Origin debut two years ago but that he has moved on from the controversial call as he prepares to cheer on teammate Nicho Hynes ahead of his first game for the Blues.

Mulitalo was set to play in game two of the 2021 series, only to be withdrawn from the Queensland squad due to an eligibility stuff up.

Ronaldo Mulitalo was days away from making his Maroons debut before it was revealed he was ineligible to play State of Origin. Picture: Matt Roberts / Getty Images

The Maroons had no idea the explosive outside back wasn’t eligible to play, given he’d represented his state in the under-18s and under-20s in a side which featured current players Murray Taulagi, Tom Gilbert and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in 2019.

But documents emerged that he didn’t meet the criteria to play for his state, given he was born in New Zealand and didn’t move to Queensland until he was 14.

State of Origin rules stipulate that a player must have moved to either Queensland or NSW before their 13th birthday, which automatically robbed Mulitalo of a dream debut.

The decision left him heartbroken, but he turned it into a positive by forcing his way into the New Zealand team at last year’s World Cup.

Mulitalo played four games at the World Cup and helped the Kiwis reach the semi-final, where they were beaten by Australia. Picture: Alex Livesey / Getty Images for RLWC

“I’ve moved past it and I found my feet pretty quickly in the Kiwis squad,” he said on the eve of the Origin opener.

“There’s no point dwelling on the past. It’s happened and it’s a part of my journey as a player.

“I’m really stoked for the boys who get to be a part of that arena because it’s such a prestigious showcase of stars.

“I’ve got so much respect for the Origin arena. I know how much it takes to get there and be a part of it, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it for a bit.

“It was heartbreaking, but it happens.”

While Mulitalo missed out back then, Sharks teammate Nicho Hynes finally gets his chance for the Blues after several close calls.

The reigning Dally M Medal winner will come off the bench in Adelaide and is likely to spend some time in the unfamiliar role of dummy-half, but Mulitalo is confident Hynes can handle whatever is thrown his way.

Nicho Hynes will make his State of Origin debut for NSW after going close several times in previous years. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Nothing seems to affect Nicho,” Mulitalo said after the team celebrated the good news with Hynes in Coffs Harbour following their win over Newcastle.

“Everything seems to be going right for him on the field. He’s got things in place to make sure he doesn’t fall flat on his face, and I’m confident he’ll do a good job wherever they put him.

“I’m really pumped for him. It’s a great achievement for not only him, but his family and his friends and the whole club.

“I know Nicho has spoken so proudly about it and how long he’s waited for this opportunity, but he deserves it and I can’t wait to see him run out on Wednesday.

“I’m a Queensland fan, though, so I want him to go well, but not too well.”