When did Origin eligibility get so complicated?

Since its inception in 1980, the concept of State of Origin has been simple ‘state against state – mate against mate’. So can someone please explain to me how we’ve been able to complicate things so much?

It’s gotten to the stage where when an administrator is asked how to fix the situation we have found ourselves in, the answer they give is akin to shrugging the shoulders and mumbling “I…dunno…”

How the issue of eligibility has become so complex is remarkable. But don’t think this is anything new.

Eligibility has been an issue for as long as State of Origin has existed. As the late, great Steve Rogers said “It’s funny. I played for New South Wales when I should have played for Queensland. And my son plays for Queensland when he should have played for New South Wales.”

There are many examples of players from different sides not necessarily playing for the “right” state. You see it depended on what “rules” you followed. It also helped in that when the question was asked “Which state will you play for?” it was directed at an Australian. How times have changed.

The average rugby league fan can name at least a handful of players that have played Origin but also had allegiances to some kind of another country. Adrian Lam captained Papua New Guinea; Brad Thorn was a Kangaroo and recently won a Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks; Jarryd Hayne played for Fiji during the last Rugby League World Cup.

Yes, they have affiliations with other countries but all were either born in Australia or moved here early in their lives. Essentially, they grew up in Australia. They grew up following Australian rugby league. They grew up during the time State of Origin was becoming the legendary and unique entity envied the world over. They understood what State of Origin football was all about.

“Origin” is about passion, mateship, endurance, toughness and intensity. It’s the toughest rugby league in the world. You could also argue that it is the most intense sporting event in the world. There is simply no let up. The history between the two states is unique and manifests a hatred of each other that is also uniquely Australian.

Then there’s the “mate against mate” part.

Other sports around the world have their own representative honours but they are all based on the way that particular competition is structured. Teammates will play with teammates in these sides – not against each other. It’s like asking Tom Brady to play against Vince Wilfork in an NFL All Star game half way through the season because they come from different parts of the US.

After the game they would go straight back to the New England Patriots to get ready for the next week’s regular season game as teammates. It’s such a foreign concept that the rest of the world thinks we’re crazy. And they can’t get enough of it. The popularity of State of Origin is growing globally each year. Listen to the number of countries “Rabs” Warren rattles off before the action gets under way to get a bit of an idea. There’s more than a few added each year.

But like with any event, if the tickets don’t sell, there is no event. No problem there. The record ticket sales, merchandise sales and TV ratings have guaranteed the future of State of Origin for many years to come.

Rugby league is making more money than ever out of the three games and with the new television rights deal currently being negotiated; the figures will only get bigger. It has been reported that the State of Origin series currently generates $30 million in revenue. Strangely, this is where the eligibility issue starts to raise its head.

We’ve covered what State of Origin is about previously, but money wasn’t mentioned. It is now. Out of the $30 million in revenue, the players are collectively paid around $2 million. The NRL has increased payments to $20,000 per game per player, but this could increase to $50,000 if the players association get their way. Or to put it another way, an extra $150,000 on top of the players annual salary from their club. All of a sudden everyone wants a piece of the action. Even New Zealanders.

James Tamou is currently living the dream that his Kiwi counterparts want to live. He was born and raised in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was 13. He came through the Roosters junior system and wound up a North Queensland Cowboy. At the same time, Tamou was a part of the New Zealand rugby league development program eventually playing for the Junior Kiwis.

He was part of the New Zealand program because he chose to be in it. As part of his playing contract, he stipulated that he would represent New Zealand. Not Australia. He decided to represent the country of his birth and the country where he grew up. He must’ve been happy with his decision because he kept playing for them.

But then in 2012 something happened. Someone casually informed him that with his playing form he would make the Australian side for the ANZAC Test. And that would mean that he could also play State of Origin and get paid $20,000 per game. Why play for New Zealand and get paid only $7,500 per appearance when you can get more than twice that much and play in the toughest rugby league contest on the planet? And play three games per year.

It’s a no brainer really. I do not blame James Tamou for making his decision. I blame the administrators of the NRL for allowing this decision to be made in the first place.

Make no mistake, State of Origin is an Australian rugby league institution. Not a New Zealand institution, not an English institution and not a Pacific Island Institution. The increase in payment to players who play in the State of Origin series should not be a catalyst to enable players from outside Australia to play in this much revered and loved spectacle. It may be a harsh reality to face but it was not designed to incorporate all players in the NRL competition.

The muddying of the waters in recent times is down to the fact many players are signed into NRL team’s junior systems at young ages and move to Australia around the ages of 13-15. In these situations the player will obviously play their first senior league game in either New South Wales or Queensland (unless they are signed by the New Zealand Warriors).

The NRL Commission has to take a hard line so that common sense can prevail. The eligibility rules must change in accordance with the current NRL recruitment environment and take into account the spirit in which State of Origin was first conceived.

Representative rugby league is about emotion based on where you come from. Emotion that is driven by those you love, those who have supported you in your journey to the top and those who have been there from the beginning. Emotion shouldn’t come from money, it comes from the place that truly represents who you are – your home.

That is why State of Origin works. That is why it is so special. Don’t let money ruin 30 years of tradition. Maybe it’s time the rest of the world started their own Origin contest and stayed out of ours.