JT's startling twist in Origin eligibility bombshell

Queensland could still prove that Ronaldo Mulitalo is eligible for State of Origin during this series, Maroons icon Johnathan Thurston says.

New Zealand-born Mulitalo was ruled out of Origin II on game day, and denied a Maroons debut, when Queensland could not provide documentation to prove that he resided in the state before his 13th birthday. He reportedly arrived in Queensland after turning 13, a breach of eligibility rules; yet somehow played under-16s, 18s and 20s for the Maroons.

However, Queensland believes that proof could be forthcoming that Mulitalo was actually a resident before age 13, Thurston said. He said that Queensland had been told an Origin II win would be voided if Mulitalo played and was proven ineligible, which was too great a risk when the evidence was not yet clear.

"We still haven't given up hope of him playing in the series, given the fact that we couldn't get the right documentation to prove that he was here before he was 13," Thurston said on The Sunday Footy Show.

"The NRL made the call that if he does play, the game will be null and void. Hopefully we can get that documentation over the next week or so and he can be back in camp.

"The news came in last night that NSW Rugby League had made an enquiry to the NRL about his eligibility and those conversations started with him last night. Obviously this morning, they had to make the call.

"It's been a whirlwind for him. He's a very passionate Queensland and when he got told that he was making his debut, you could see that passion because he broke down in tears that his childhood dream was about to come true. Now, that's been ripped from underneath him.

"He was a broken man this morning. The players have rallied around him and I know the QRL are doing everything in their power to hopefully get the right documentation, so he can finish out the series."

Asked to clarify if Queensland believed that there was documentary evidence of Mulitalo being a resident of the state before age 13, Thurston replied: "That is exactly what I'm saying."

Yet in another strange twist, Mulitalo confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that he had arrived in Australia aged 13 years and 10 months.

"Why wasn't this asked at the start of camp? I was here [in Queensland] when I was 13 and 10 months," Mulitalo said. "They're going to strip everything I've worked for my whole life because of 10 months?

"I've represented Queensland at every level and I've pledged my allegiance to Australia. I backflipped on New Zealand because I wanted to play for Australia. This is my home. But what am I supposed to do now?"

Origin III is scheduled for July 14, giving Queensland some time to produce the evidence. However, Mulitalo was brought into the side due to a raft of injuries, meaning that he may not play even if he's deemed eligible.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys responded to the situation on Sunday, with Mulitalo's heartbreaking Origin exit a bad look for the game.

"I take all responsibility. I feel very sorry for Ronaldo, it shouldn't have happened," V'landys said on The Sunday Footy Show.

"It shouldn't have happened just before the game. We received an enquiry at 8 o'clock last night from the chief executive of the NSW Rugby League, Dave Trodden, questioning the eligibility of Ronaldo. Naturally, we had to investigate it.

"We investigated it and we sought information from the Queensland Rugby League to provide evidence that he does qualify. They couldn't provide that evidence and wanted more time, so they withdrew Ronaldo from tonight's match, hoping that they can prove he is eligible later during the week."

V'landys wouldn't be drawn on who was at fault for the furore.

"I don't know who's to blame, frankly," he said.

"I don't think anyone's to blame at the moment. The very first thing we need to do is look after Ronaldo and look at if he's eligible. I'm hoping that he is eligible and he can come back for game three."

NSW coach Brad Fittler said that Trodden and a raft of journalists had recognised the issue with Mulitalo's eligibility after a media profile surfaced that said he'd arrived in Australia after turning 13.

"I believe Dave Trodden put to the NRL a 'please explain' and I believe now he's not playing and wasn't eligible. It is what it is," Fittler told The Sunday Footy Show.

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