I know- seb kris can’t jump anywhere either.
International New Zealand Kiwis
- Thread starter WahsaurusRex
- Start date
NZWarriors.com
Getting Ponga to play is not a priority for me but am okay if he did.
NZWarriors.com
I'm a big fan of Kini. But if we could get Ponga our spine would be next level.
Another missing part of the puzzle is Brandon Smith. Yeah, He seriously needs to sort his shit out.
An inform Smith is a weapon.
Start with JMK who is a ball playing 9 in the mould of Egan. Then sub him off for the robust - power running Smith.
Dylan Browns form is not so great. But behind a large kiwi pack containing Willison, Nas , Fish, Tapine , Laban , Nikora, Whyte he is not short of go forward to afford him the opportunities to shine.
Plus - Hughes , Ponga & JMK can do the organising & kicking. Allowing Brown to utilise his greatest gift...Speed and footwork.
Ponga is a extra half. Kini a running threat. Ponga also possess electric speed and fancy feet.
We'd have multiple ball playing threats and speed to burn with Ponga , Brown & Hughes.
The opportunities they would create for Warbrick, McLean, Mulitalo, Leaitaua, Berry and co would be next level for Kiwi Rugby League !
The thing about Smith is that he gives his all in a Kiwi jersey. He's had a lot of good games at rep level.
Didn't we get revenge on Tonga off the back of his work? He went ham lol. I rate that kid. But his attitude stinks.
NZWarriors.com
I don't think willison is close to a kiwis call up. Who is he in for?
Our props
Tapine
Fisher Harris
Leota
NAS
Thompson
Whyte
Neame
NZWarriors.com
How bad did Paul Crawley and Paul Gallon come across this week!
Latrell throws a forward pass for a try in the 1st half for Australia, plays for Indigenous in the 2nd half and gets pulled up for a bullet pass, all hell breaks loose
Seriously though they could be like Māori All Blacks the fringe players doing tours and being competitive but the 360 panel seem to just dismiss it as all or nothing
NZWarriors.com
Agree mate! And Paul gallon trying to take on the greatest mind in rugby league!
Phill Gould " how good was it when australia dominated international rugby league"
Gallon reminds me of a character from Mississippi Burning
Gallen is just a symptom of the tunnel vision many Australians have, I remember a segment a few years back where Gould was arguing that internationals should be the aspiration for a player. Gallen then started ranting that origin is the pinnacle for all league players when Gould interrupted him “not for a kid from no or England it’s not” - Gallen was stunned into silence you could see his brain short circuiting in real timeAgree mate! And Paul gallon trying to take on the greatest mind in rugby league!
Phill Gould " how good was it when australia dominated international rugby league"
Gallon reminds me of a character from Mississippi Burning
Sheeiiit! Have you seen that beast play? He'd be the first picked lol
NZWarriors.com
This seems like good progress.
================
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.”
================
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.”
Can’t see how they can maintain the status quo when the Samoan Panthers are getting paid for both competitions while Kiwis and English are banned from representing their “culture” (the key argument that will win the rule change IMO)
There seems to be talk around AJ Brinsom playing for England as his Mum was born there - he played for the Aussie 9s didn’t he …. Same as Ponga.
The Aust media seem to be okay with AJ but not with Ponga - maybe just me?
The Aust media seem to be okay with AJ but not with Ponga - maybe just me?
NZWarriors.com
I believe the year(s) you play SOO you're picking oz and now you shouldn't be able to go and play for island nations. It was ok before because it was to prop up those nations but we don't have to do that anymore.
I really don't want to see Kiwi players playing origin. I think having a bunch of players play SOO and then for another nation makes it a farse . Call me an origin purist.
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