This seems like good progress.
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What’s the Buzz: Origin eligibility changes considered for English and Kiwi players
Peter V’landys to look at the State of Origin eligibility shake-up that could allow NRL stars Victor Radley and AJ Brimson to play for both England and NSW and Queensland respectively.
Phil Rothfield
@BuzzRothfield
2 min read
April 12, 2025 - 6:50PM
News Sport Network
https://archive.is/20250412114734/h...ory/d784fc1266538cff2fa4825d49c4f0d4#comments
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has conceded the NRL needs to review the contentious State of Origin eligibility rules that have split the game.
As part of a selection criteria revamp, the NRL will consider ditching the international Tier 1 rule preventing English and New Zealand players from representing NSW or Queensland.
All NRL players, no matter what country they play for, would be free to be part of rugby league’s showpiece event providing they played their junior football in Australia before the age of 13.
V’landys is himself undecided on the issue.
“I’ve said it wasn’t on the agenda right now, but we can certainly have a look at it at the end of the year as part of our annual review,” he said.
“I understand there has been a lot of debate around the issue.
“It’s polarising because some people are saying to me, ‘It’s not broken, so don’t touch it.’
“Others are saying, and making good points, about how we can make it better for both Origin and international rugby league.
“People have got solid arguments from both sides, so we will look at it.
“We want to get the best outcome for the game, the players, the stakeholders and the fans.”
Origin eligibility has become the hottest issue in rugby league since
we revealed in this column last month that champion Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga wanted to play for Queensland in Origin, but had also been approached to play for the Kiwis in Test football because of his proud
māori heritage.
Since then Payne Haas,
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have expressed a desire to play for Samoa. And Titans star
AJ Brimson wants to play for England.
When Origin started in 1980 as a contest between the best 34 players in the game, less than one per cent of NRL players were Polynesians.
But the demographic has changed to a position where the NRL has 48% with a Pasifika background, 14% Indigenous and 38% others.
It shows why the old rules need to be modernised.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has joined the queue of those wanting to change the rules.
“I think they definitely need to look at it,” he said.
“I had to deal with this myself (while coaching NZ).
“The players’ past and heritage is very important to them, but also with players being born here, the Origin is a big part of their life as well.”