League: Folau selection a 'disgrace'

Israel Folau retained his spot in the Queensland side despite signing a deal with the AFL. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - State of Origin fireworks have started early after NSW Rugby League general manager Geoff Carr slammed Queensland's decision to retain AFL defector Israel Folau, labelling it a "disgrace".

And in a move sure to further infuriate NSW, Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore remained adamant that they had not performed a backflip by naming Folau for next Wednesday's Origin II clash in Brisbane.

Carr could not hide his anger on Tuesday after Queensland kept Folau on the wing for the Suncorp Stadium showdown just days after claiming the Broncos star should not be picked following his multi-million dollar deal with the AFL's Greater Western Sydney franchise.

"The Queenslanders came out last week - the general manager, coach and captain - and said as a matter of policy he shouldn't be picked and then as a matter of convenience they pick him," Carr told AAP.

"He's the voice of AFL in western Sydney.

"I have to say it's a disgrace."

Carr said the AFL would be "rubbing their hands" over the announcement and believed a selection policy may need to be drawn up to avoid similar incidents in the future.

"Given the attitude of the Queensland board - who don't seem to be able to make decisions in the best interests of rugby league - we may have to (draw up a policy)," Carr said.

Livermore told reporters last week following Folau's AFL announcement that he did not believe the Broncos flyer should be picked for Origin II.

But on Tuesday Livermore said: "There's no backflip at all.

"Last week I was approached about Izzy's eligibility. I spoke to the coach (Mal Meninga) and senior players and their view was that we should probably look to the future," he told AAP.

"Yesterday I had an approach by Mal who said that they had had a re-think ... and they felt that seeing he was part of the first game and he is going to be playing in the NRL for the rest of the year they would like him to be considered.

"And we don't pick the teams, we leave that to the selectors.

"And we (QRL) don't ask the selectors to pick or not pick a player.

"So it's not a backflip. A lot of people might say it is and if they do I can't do anything about it."

Asked if his personal opinion about Folau had changed, Livermore said: "I am not saying yes or no that that is still my view.

"Once a board decision is taken I can't express a personal view on it.

"I had expressed a view but I had not considered the board previously, but I am part of a board and we implement their decisions."

QRL chairman John McDonald tried to stamp out claims that Folau's selection had caused internal friction.

"All players were considered - I said that last week. That has been the policy of the Queensland Rugby League," he said.

Meninga believed the furore over Folau would only strengthen his side's resolve as they look to seal a record fifth straight series win on Wednesday night.

"We have probably melded even closer together because of what has happened with the media interest at the moment," he said.

"We accept that there is going to be arguments for and against Izzy being in the side.

"We have stuck solid by the team and that has been our mantra for the last 30 years."

The man of the moment - Folau - said he would have "understood" if he had not been picked.

"I would have just gone on with my footy for the rest of the year with my club," he said.

"But they have given me an opportunity to play again and I want to make sure I won't let them down."

- AAP