State of Origin II: Queensland dealt a blow as Ronaldo Mulitalo ruled out

Queensland have suffered a dramatic setback on the morning of the second State of Origin fter it emerged winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was ineligible to play for the Maroons.

Ronaldo Mulitalo. Picture: NRL Images

Queensland have suffered a dramatic setback on the morning of the second State of Origin game after it emerged that winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was ineligible to play for the Maroons.

Mulitalo was only drafted into the Queensland side when Reece Walsh succumbed to injury on Saturday. However, it emerged on Saturday night that he had moved from New Zealand to Queensland after his 13th birthday, which in fact rendered him ineligible to play Origin under the guidelines.

Ironically, it was an article on the Queensland Rugby League’s own website that led to Mulitalo being scratched on Origin morning.

The article detailed how Mulitalo had moved to Queensland when he was 14. The article was spotted by an eagle-eyed fan on social media and ultimately found its way into the hands of the NSW Rugby League, who raised their concerns with the NRL.

The NRL conducted their own inquiries and arrived at the decision that Mulitalo was ineligible to be selected, capping a dramatic 24 hours for Camp Queensland as they attempted to rally from their loss in the opening game of the series.

Queensland selectors have now turned to Xavier Coates, a Papua New Guinea international who was born in Port Moresby.

“Brisbane Broncos speedster Xavier Coates, who was on the wing for the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin Game I, will join the team today and play tonight,” the QRL said in a statement.

“Coates has been called into the Maroons team following discussions with the NRL around the Origin eligibility of Ronaldo Mulitalo.

“While Mulitalo has been part of the Queensland pathways system as a Queensland Under 18s and Under 20s player, conflicting information has since emerged as to the status of his eligibility after New South Wales Rugby League made an inquiry to the NRL last night.

“As such, Mulitalo has been withdrawn from the game tonight and the QRL will present a case to the NRL in coming days that will argue for his Queensland eligibility.”