Ronaldo Mulitalo’s Origin eligibility questioned after Reece Walsh injury shock

The Queensland camp has been rocked by a shock late injury on the even of State of Origin game II, but it’s sparked another drama.

Reece Walsh will not make his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game Two on Sunday night. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Reece Walsh will not make his State of Origin debut on Sunday night after he was ruled out by the Maroons on Saturday afternoon but his replacement might not be able to line up either.

The 18-year-old injured his hamstring during Queensland’s captain’s run.

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The Maroons named their 19-man squad for the must-win Game Two and Walsh was a shock omission.

Queensland has confirmed that he suffered a low-grade hamstring strain and had to be treated for the injury during the captain’s run at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

“Queensland Maroons player Reece Walsh has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s Ampol State of Origin match after suffering a low grade hamstring strain,” the QRL said in a statement.

“Walsh needed treatment during the captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium today and will unfortunately not be able to make his debut for the Maroons.

“Ipswich junior and Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will now make his Origin debut for Queensland.”

But Mulitalo’s debut might not be a sure thing either with NSW questioning his eligibility.

NSW Rugby League have formally raised concerns with the NRL over Ronaldo Mulitalo’s eligibility for Queensland. Oh mama, it’s Origin eve drama at its best. This is moving fast

— Brent Read (@brentread_7) June 26, 2021

Reece Walsh appears injured but his replacement might not be a Queenslander.

Mulitalo was born in New Zealand and arrived in Australia at age 14. State of Origin rules say that a representative must be in Australia by 13.

Mulitalo represented Queensland at under-18 and under-20 level.

“We have been alerted to some concerns around the eligibility of Ronaldo Mulitalo as a result of a story which appeared on the QRL website,” NSWRL’s Dave Trodden told The Courier Mail.

“As a consequence of this issue, we have made an inquiry with the NRL as to the status of Ronaldo’s eligibility and we are awaiting from a response from them.”

Got to love Origin eve.

ORIGIN SELECTION RULES

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Were you born here? NO

Have you resided in NSW or QLD prior to your 13th birthday? NO

Did your father play State of Origin? NO

Three no answers - Not eligible for State of Origin

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) June 26, 2021

Walsh’s omission has been the big news with plenty of discussion on the 18-year-old and his abilty to handle playing Origin after just seven first grade matches.

Warriors consultant Phil Gould was critical of Queensland dragging in a rookie after the 50-6 loss in Origin I and revealed on Twitter that Queensland had not contacted about the issue.

Walsh had been set to start at fullback for Queensland and become the youngest ever State of Origin debutant since Ben Ikin in 1995.

His injury forces Queensland to shuffle their backline, with Valentine Holmes to move back from the centres to fullback, where he started Game One.

Reece Walsh injured his hamstring during Queensland’s captain’s run on Saturday. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

NSW great Mark Geyer believes Queensland is using Walsh to distract media, commentators and the opposition from focusing on other talking points around its team.

The Maroons camp has been all about the 18-year-old since his selection on Monday morning, but there’s plenty of other question marks after the 50-6 thumping in Game One.

“We all bought into it. We’re all in the trap, Queensland’s trap,” Geyer told his Triple M radio show on Wednesday.

“While we’re talking about Reece Walsh, guess what? We’re not talking about Cameron Munster, we’re not talking about Jai Arrow in the back row, we’re not talking about (David) Fifita off the bench, we’re not talking about two hookers, we’re not talking about 50-6.

“This is a ploy, a trap, a trick, an ambush.

“He’s picked on merit, but the fanfare around him has got me thinking … I’m not thinking about anything other than Reece Walsh. This is a Queensland team that got beat 50-6, they will be fuming.

“An 18-year-old kid is the decoy for all of this, we’ve all taken the bait.”