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Queensland Origin blow: six more players banned

Valentine Holmes (left) and Cameron Munster (right) have been banned by the QRL for 12 months.

Getty: Renee McKay/Scott Barbour

Valentine Holmes (left) and Cameron Munster (right) have been banned by the QRL for 12 months. Getty: Renee McKay/Scott Barbour

The Queensland Maroons have confirmed six more players have been excluded from Origin selection for the next 12 months following an investigation into them breaking curfew during the Emerging Origin camp.

The players are Anthony Milford, Jarrod Wallace, Ben Hunt, Dylan Napa, Edrick Lee and Chris Grevsmuhl.

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Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster had already copped 12-month Origin bans for breaking curfew at the weekend camp in Brisbane.

“Our initial focus was on Valentine Holmes because of the involvement of the NRL Integrity Unit,” QRL managing director Robert Moore said in a statement.

“As we suspected, there were other players who broke curfew and we have now gone through a process of interviewing players. Due to preseason commitments, we’ve only been able to finalise that today.

“To the players’ credit, they’ve come forward and because of the importance we place on our Emerging Origin program, they will receive the same sanction as Cameron Munster.”

Maroons coach disappointed by players’ behaviour

New Maroons coach Kevin Walters said he was disappointed the banned players did not respect team orders.

Valentine Holmes (left) and Cameron Munster Origin ban

Valentine Holmes (left) and Cameron Munster (right) have been banned.
Getty: Renee McKay/Scott Barbour

“Obviously I’m disappointed by what’s happened. They know they made a poor decision, they’ve got quite upset about it,” Walters told a media gathering.

I just thought that if these players couldn’t understand the clear instructions that were given to them, it probably wasn’t the time for them to be involved [in Queensland State of Origin].

Maroons coach Kevin Walters

“We went to the Story Bridge (Hotel) and we did have a couple of drinks. Everyone was aware of what was expected of them.

“Unfortunately, some didn’t respect those words and they’ve paid the price for it.

“What we are about is to set certain guidelines for the players. They didn’t adhere to what was held out to them and what’s acceptable.

“We’ve got to be responsible … if we can’t be responsible we don’t drink.

“We’re trying to protect the brand of Queensland Rugby League and State of Origin.”

Walters said it was a clear case of disobeyed instructions, meaning the players were not ready to don the Maroons jumper in this year’s Origin series.

“I just thought that if these players couldn’t understand the clear instructions that were given to them, it probably wasn’t the time for them to be involved [in Queensland State of Origin].

“I’m disappointed in a few areas. One, it’s my first year as head coach for the State of Origin series. I’m also disappointed from the perspective of State of Origin.

“The Origin team has been so successful, but (it’s) not for these players.”

 

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