NZ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is eyeing up Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, after his failed attempt to represent Queensland in State of Origin.
Mulitalo, 21, was ruled ineligible to play for Queensland just hours before State of Origin II last month, because he moved to the state after turning 13.
On Friday, Mulitalo's attempt to gain an exemption for Origin III was turned down, leaving the winger in representative no-man's land.
Born in Auckland, Mulitalo would be eligible to represent the Kiwis, with Maguire eyeing the youngster up ahead of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup to be held in England.
"Well and truly yes, definitely," Maguire says of trying to recruit Mulitalo. "He's moved into that space - into Queensland level - so he's seen what the top-end of town is in that quality of player.
"To be able to have someone like him come into the Kiwis down the track would be something that we're looking at, for sure.
"I've spoken to Ronaldo prior, but we haven't for a while, due to the internationals being sort of put on the shelf at the moment, but fingers crossed everything can sort itself out for the end of the season."
Mulitalo is no stranger to international rugby league, having already played one test for Samoa, as well as turning out for USA in the 2019 World Cup Nines.
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