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Wallace to fight shoulder charge: Titans

Gold Coast say Jarrod Wallace will contest his shoulder charge offence at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night in the hope of making his State of Origin debut.

Jarrod Wallace during Queensland State of Origin team training
Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace will attempt to save his State of Origin debut at the NRL judiciary. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace will attempt to save his State of Origin debut at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday after the Queensland Rugby League chose not to pursue a selection loophole.

Wallace was on Monday named in a 17-man Maroons squad for game two in Sydney next week.

The forward's Origin dream is in serious jeopardy after he was slapped with a grade-one shoulder charge offence from their loss to the Warriors on Saturday.

The 25-year-old flattened Blake Ayshford with his shoulder when the Warriors centre attempted to receive a pass.

The Titans announced on Monday that Wallace would be fighting his charge, which would result in a two-game ban if found guilty.

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He could have accepted a one-game suspension if he took the early guilty plea, which would have meant he'd miss Gold Coast's clash with South Sydney on Friday.

But he would've been free to play for Queensland next Wednesday.

It was back in 2002 when the Maroons infamously opted not to name a player for game two, allowing Lote Tuqiri to serve his one-game ban for Brisbane that week.

He was then called into the Maroons side after the Broncos match.

Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher admitted the state could have explored a loophole that could've cemented Wallace an Origin debut.

It's understood that both states agreed not to use the 'TBA' loophole after the Tuqiri fiasco.

"Some of you will be aware that there's a previous loophole in the rules that would enable Queensland Rugby League to opt out of the Jarrod Wallace situation where he could serve his term if we opted for that," Hatcher said.

"We will not be using that rule but Queensland Rugby League will put all its resources behind having Jarrod Wallace proving his innocence."

Former Queensland representative Chris McQueen believes a ban for his Gold Coast teammate would be ridiculous.

"Origin and grand finals are things kids dream about since the day they learn what rugby league is and for people to take this away for a minor offence is a harsh penalty to pay," McQueen said.

"I know Jarrod will get the opportunity to play Origin one day, but if for some reason he never gets the chance (to play Origin) it will be something that will eat away at him for the rest of his life.

"For someone to take those dreams away from him would be a harsh penalty."

Meanwhile, Manly forward Addin Fonua-Blake and Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard have both copped fines for separate grade-one charges.

Fonua-Blake took the $1350 penalty for tripping Newcastle playmaker Brock Lamb in the Sea Eagles' win over the Knights on Friday.

Campbell-Gillard will be $1650 out of pocket for his careless high tackle on Canberra forward Josh Papalii in the Panthers' win over the Raiders.


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