State of Origin Changes Forever
- Thread starter Dexter
- Start date
- Jan 25, 2014
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I like it. The original criteria still remains, they just scrapped the Tier 1 rule.
It needed to happen. The rules needed to be modernised. Origin is no longer a selection tool for the Australian squad, it hasn't been that way for a long time, so this idea that you need to represent Australia to play is ridiculous.
Previously, players were required to be eligible to represent Australia or a Tier Two nation as defined by International Rugby League (IRL). The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who represent Tier One nations — and who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria — to now be eligible.
The change reflects the strength of the international game and the significant growth of Rugby League, particularly across the Pacific.
Core State of Origin eligibility criteria remain unchanged:
It needed to happen. The rules needed to be modernised. Origin is no longer a selection tool for the Australian squad, it hasn't been that way for a long time, so this idea that you need to represent Australia to play is ridiculous.
Previously, players were required to be eligible to represent Australia or a Tier Two nation as defined by International Rugby League (IRL). The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who represent Tier One nations — and who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria — to now be eligible.
The change reflects the strength of the international game and the significant growth of Rugby League, particularly across the Pacific.
Core State of Origin eligibility criteria remain unchanged:
- The player was born in New South Wales or Queensland; or
- The player resided in New South Wales or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday; or
- The player’s father played State of Origin.
- Jul 28, 2016
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Was always going to come in as soon as Radley defected to England... NSW has spoken
Mostly strengthens NSW... will have an impact when guys like AFB and Casey McLean get picked for NSW.
I do think it's logical... New Zealand have been the most impacted by previous eligibility as players have been selecting Tonga and Samoa over New Zealand.
I don't think players should be penalised when they've grown up in the state and played all their football through the state comps.
I know this popped up with Tino, but he's come through Qld the whole way through and should still be allowed to play for them if he jumps over to Samoa... I don't know why they talked about Tino though, because he was still eligible under the previous rules if he went to Samoa anyway.
Mostly strengthens NSW... will have an impact when guys like AFB and Casey McLean get picked for NSW.
I do think it's logical... New Zealand have been the most impacted by previous eligibility as players have been selecting Tonga and Samoa over New Zealand.
I don't think players should be penalised when they've grown up in the state and played all their football through the state comps.
I know this popped up with Tino, but he's come through Qld the whole way through and should still be allowed to play for them if he jumps over to Samoa... I don't know why they talked about Tino though, because he was still eligible under the previous rules if he went to Samoa anyway.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,736
- 83,980
Its stupid but not surprising. I have no issue with the tier 1 or tier 2 thing, that needed to change but this regime just come leave stuff alone. And to announce it via a press release?
Were they hoping it wouldn't be discussed because they know it will be very divisive?
Were they hoping it wouldn't be discussed because they know it will be very divisive?
- Jul 28, 2016
- 35,412
- 51,854
It'll be interesting to see what lists come out with all these eligible players.
For Qld I think maybe Lolo (but he may have been over 13?) and Brimson is eligible again. Have heard Briton Nikora pop up as eligible, but he'd still have to choose to play origin and it's never really popped up for him. Did he play U20's origin at any point?
For NSW so far I've heard AFB (arguably the 2nd best prop in the game), Casey McLean (gun centre) and Victor (NSW golden boy).
Others that I'm not sure about for NSW... Dyl Brown, Naufahu Whyte (I think he was too old?), Tapine
For Qld... Erin Clarke (Qld?), Deine Mariner might become eligible? Willison might be too old (previous interview sounded like he was a bit of a league rookie and was spotted in union)? Riki I think is same as Willison
Remaining ineligible for Qld due to the 13yr criteria... Kiks, Ronaldo, Herbie, Jahrome Hughes, BSmith...
Media keep talking about guys like well Cooper Bai will be eligible... except he always would've been assuming he selects PNG because they're Tier 2.
- Mar 4, 2008
- 38,163
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It depends when these guys came to Australia. It has to have been before they were 13 (Which is why Mulitalo remains ineligible)
- Jul 28, 2016
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- 51,854
Pretty sure Herbie was 15 in previous news articles
Mariner I suspect would become eligible... based on nothing other than him being a name coming through at the broncos for awhile and we usually lock them in early, but 13 seems to be the sticking point for a lot of potential Qlders
- Mar 4, 2008
- 38,163
- 48,814
Just a quick look at some online comments and this doesn't seem to have much support.
You get the usual "leave our ****ing game alone" comments.
But a common theme I'm seeing is that this series will no longer be an Origin ... But another All Stars game
You get the usual "leave our ****ing game alone" comments.
But a common theme I'm seeing is that this series will no longer be an Origin ... But another All Stars game
- Jul 28, 2016
- 35,412
- 51,854
I think when NSW select a team with guys like AFB, McLean and Tapine (potentially) then it will start to look a bit odd.
AFB and Tapine have been guns for a long time and then all of a sudden they're playing origin at 30+
but they would be playing for NSW, so the media will set the narrative... and if it helps NSW win then those same comments will change their tune.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,736
- 83,980
I'm looking to see who we actually get and I'm not sure its anyone.
Kikau - too old
Herbie - slightly too old and he is the one we really could have benefitted from
Mariner - he might also just miss the criteria but he's in with a shout
Mulitalo - he misses by a couple of months I think plus I can't bring myself to support this bloke in anything
Willison - I think he misses the cut similar to Kikau
Jahrome Hughes - just misses the cut I think, similar to Mulitalo
Kini - misses the cut
Te Maire Martin - misses the cut
Nikora - I'm fairly sure he misses the cut
Taumololo - he definitely qualifies but its 10 years too late and he's broken...so...yay for Qld?
Kris - he is definitely eligible, so that is actually pretty cool
Kodi Nikorima - yay?
So we get Kris (very cool), a broken JT2, Nikorima (yay) and Ponga continues to play. Wow, how lucky.
Meanwhile, NSW AT LEAST get:
AFB - certain
McLean - certain
Radley - certain
Moses Leota - certain
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - certain
possibly JFH but maybe not, Timoko maybe, Tapine maybe, Paseka quite possibly, Naufahu Whyte possibly
Random side point, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad would almost be eligible for Victoria but isn't.
Kikau - too old
Herbie - slightly too old and he is the one we really could have benefitted from
Mariner - he might also just miss the criteria but he's in with a shout
Mulitalo - he misses by a couple of months I think plus I can't bring myself to support this bloke in anything
Willison - I think he misses the cut similar to Kikau
Jahrome Hughes - just misses the cut I think, similar to Mulitalo
Kini - misses the cut
Te Maire Martin - misses the cut
Nikora - I'm fairly sure he misses the cut
Taumololo - he definitely qualifies but its 10 years too late and he's broken...so...yay for Qld?
Kris - he is definitely eligible, so that is actually pretty cool
Kodi Nikorima - yay?
So we get Kris (very cool), a broken JT2, Nikorima (yay) and Ponga continues to play. Wow, how lucky.
Meanwhile, NSW AT LEAST get:
AFB - certain
McLean - certain
Radley - certain
Moses Leota - certain
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - certain
possibly JFH but maybe not, Timoko maybe, Tapine maybe, Paseka quite possibly, Naufahu Whyte possibly
Random side point, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad would almost be eligible for Victoria but isn't.
