MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has again blasted the code’s representative eligibility process after NRL boss Dave Smith officially rejected Luke Keary’s application to play for Queensland.

Keary’s heartfelt bid to one day wear Maroon is over, with NRL officials ending months of debate by telling the South Sydney rookie his future was with the Blues.

The Rabbitohs have gagged Keary from commenting, but Smith’s stance is sure to disappoint the Ipswich-born product, who has no desire to wear the sky blue jumper.

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News_Image_File: Luke Keary was hoping to represent the state of his birth in State of Origin.

While Keary remains silent, Meninga went on the attack, claiming the 22-year-old had been denied the right to appeal in his quest to represent Queensland.

“The decision shows that the process is not functioning properly yet,’’ Meninga said.

“It's bully tactics, I don’t mind saying that.

“There should be an appeal process for genuine cases and Luke’s case is genuine. The RLPA stood up for Luke (by helping draft his application), but now a decision has been made, there is no formal forum for Luke to turn to for an appeal.

“In my mind, the process has failed. I can't change the rules, but the people at the NRL who make these decisions (on eligibility) need to change the rules, simple as that.’’

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Under the code’s eligibility rules, which were revised in late 2012, a player can make a personal application in writing to the NRL CEO.

Keary ticks four out of five boxes for NSW, qualifying him for the Blues, but argued extra weight should be given to his birthplace in Queensland.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg, who is due to arrive in Queensland for talks with the Cowboys over refereeing standards, confirmed Keary has received formal notification.

“The criteria is applied and if the player is not happy with that, he has the opportunity to write to the CEO. That’s exactly what happened,’’ Greenberg said.

News_Image_File: NRL CEO Dave Smith made the final call on Keary’s Origin future.

“Luke Keary wrote to Dave Smith and he replied. It was a decision made by Dave under the rules.

“There's no panel, the decision is made by the CEO of the game.’’

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Despite Meninga’s call for change, Greenberg is satisfied with the current eligibility process.

“It was designed in late 2012 with both the input of the QRL and the NSWRL,’’ he said.

“If it needs to be looked at we will do it with them, but to date we haven’t re-engaged on the policy."

RLPA boss Garnsey said last month Keary had a compelling case to play for Queensland but that the final call would rest with the NRL.