NRL to block Bird’s shock Origin return

The NRL is poised to block a secret plan for a shock return to State of Origin I for the suspended NSW Blues star Greg Bird.

NSW management and coach Laurie Daley were last night locked in discussions about whether Bird could now be eligible to confront Queensland next Wednesday night.

Bird will serve the second week of a two-game suspension tonight when Gold Coast play New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Stadium.

Under the NRL rules Bird is now free to be selected. Daley isn’t looking at picking Bird in his run-on squad, but as the 18th man.

Read more at the Daily Telegraph

Saw that on the news. If he has served his suspension then surely he should be available to be picked? Gotta feel for Birdy considering he won't play again until June 7 (at the earliest). So a two week suspension actually turns into nearly a month away from football.

He can play Qcup next week....lol

Is he actually unable to play Origin because of the NRL's decision, or because the Blues don't want him?

Or is it just a ploy by the Blues, and he will run out?

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Originally Posted by C-Whiz

Is he actually unable to play Origin because of the NRL's decision, or because the Blues don't want him?

Or is it just a ploy by the Blues, and he will run out?

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There was a loophole that Qld exploited a few years back with Lote being suspended then named 18th man the day after his suspension was finished & he went on & played on the Wednesday night, now to play Origin u must be named in the Squad before hand as an 18th or 19th man..

It was fun to see a few people crying foul over the Bird situation when he knew it couldn't happen