Rugby league "Immortal" Graeme Langlands has been charged with six counts of indecently dealing with a child under 16, dating back to 1982.

Speaking outside court after losing a bid to have the matter moved to the Mental Health Court, defence solicitor Jessica Burke said police knew months ago that the 76-year-old would not be able to defend himself against the charges.

On Monday afternoon, a magistrate knocked back an application to have the case referred to the Mental Health Court on technical grounds.

Outside court, Ms Burke said the consequences of the charges were "catastrophic and irreparable".

"My client will never have his day in court. He will never be capable of defending these serious accusations and his name will forever be tarnished," she said.

"Even without Mr Langlands being able to defend the charges, our assessment of this prosecution case against him is that it is weak."

The court heard the allegations were "most serious in nature" and related to a single day in 1982 on the Gold Coast.

In trying to have the former St George fullback's case moved out of the criminal courts, Ms Burke had tendered a series of medical reports she said proved how sick he was.

She told the court the police commissioned a report earlier this year confirming "his failing faculties and his inability to participate in a court proceeding."

"This report made clear findings that Mr Langlands suffers from severe dementia, that he has poor cognitive function and that he has no capacity to attend these court proceedings or answer any questions," she said, outside court.

"With this knowledge the Queensland police brought these proceedings against Mr Langlands, likely aware that he would never be capable of responding to the allegations."

Mr Langlands has been summonsed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 6 but is unlikely to appear because of his health.

Magistrate Strofield suggested a warrant could written but not acted upon, instead lying on file until Ms Burke was able to make another application for mental health referral.