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Queensland coach Paul Green has suggested that the responsibility for Ronaldo Mulitalo’s cruel removal from home state on match morning lies with the NRL.
Called late after an injury to Reece Walsh on Saturday, Cronulla Mulitalo winger was quickly investigated when questions were raised about the eligibility of the New Zealand-born talent.
The Maroons were unable to prove he arrived in Australia before his 13th birthday and, although Mulitalo played under-18s and under-20s for Queensland, were forced to withdraw him under penalty of forfeiting.
Paul Green in Queensland training. Matt Roberts / Getty Images
Xavier Coates, abandoned after the loss in the first game, was hastily called back and rushed into the Queensland camp just eight hours before kick-off at Sucncorp Stadium, where the Blues racked up pain during the a 26-0 victory that won the series.
The QRL is hoping to prove Mulitalo is eligible by producing documents showing he arrived in Australia before he was 13.
There is also a chance to be given the green light to play in Match III under the discretionary powers of the ARL committee.
Green has indicated that Queensland would be ready to fight.
“It’s obviously a massive break in the process and I don’t think it’s over yet,” he said.
“All the information we had, (indicated) he was able to play.
“He signed his last two contracts and in that he signed his eligibility to say he was.
“We don’t register contracts, we are not part of this process.
“We just get a list from a database (from the NRL) that says they’re eligible on that basis.”
Green has plenty to do after the ensuing loss of a hidden 50-6 record at Townsville and Sunday marked the first time Queensland have been kept scoreless in Brisbane.
It also left the Blues on track to record the most dominant series victory in history, beating the 62 point differential managed by NSW in 2000.
“We probably have to adjust some things at camp (in Game 3), we have nothing to lose,” said skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
“Again, we’re looking for answers, but (in terms of) motivator you have to say theirs is much higher than ours at the moment.”
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