With the sudden departure of Sam Burgess to rugby union, the State of Origin eligibility rules have once again been put under the microscope.
As a result, the question of opening the age-old contest to foreign rugby league stars has been raised.
For a long time, I have been a firm believer in having strict eligibility guidelines for State of Origin, mainly to stop fence-hoppers like Greg Inglis playing for a different state.
As a New South Wales supporter, I was appalled by the amount of foreign NRL stars declaring their devotion to Queensland too.
This isn’t to say that the same hasn’t happened with the Blues, as there have been many controversial eligibility issues in the past – the most recent of which involved Kiwi-turned-Australian front row forward, James Tamou.
While this was acceptable under the guidelines at the time, it was clear that they were not Queensland nor NSW-bred through and through.
They did not experience the years of heartbreak as a child when Queensland would be crushed over and over by the sky blues, nor the resounding wins when they would conquer the New South Welshmen for eight years straight.
They did not experience the embarrassment of showing up at school the next day after a series loss, knowing that any supporters of the opposite state would, whenever possible, let you know of their state’s superiority.
Likewise, they didn’t experience the worshipping of state legends such as Andrew Johns or Billy Slater, nor the constant daydreaming of one day playing for their beloved state.
I am all for keeping the game’s biggest stars , Australian or not, in the NRL and out of rugby union or the Super League.
And if a sky blue or maroon jersey is enough to persuade them to remain loyal to the NRL, then I’d like the NRL hierarchy to at least consider it, for the good of the game.
Without State of Origin, there is unfortunately little else the NRL can offer over rugby union.
Rugby union can offer a sizeable increase in a player’s salary, and the opportunity to represent your country in a very important Rugby World Cup campaign or even the sevens format in the Olympics.
State of Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league as a whole, and it is the ultimate goal for players to strive for. It would no doubt be an even bloodier battle with the likes of the Burgess brothers and Sonny Bill Williams in the mix.
For most people, it is an infinitely higher honour to represent your state in State of Origin than to represent your country in rugby league, which actually says a lot about the current importance of the Rugby League World Cup.
This is the dilemma that the NRL hierarchy is faced with, and will prove to be an enormous decision for Dave Smith and co.
It would undoubtedly remove a certain degree of the intensity between the two states, knowing that a match-winning try wasn’t really scored by a genuine Queenslander or New South Welshman.
If it was me in Dave Smith’s shoes, I’d turn down the inclusion of foreign players.
Barney
Guest
I'm not an aussie and i'm not looking to get involved in any code war. I'm a league fan first and foremost but lets not pretend in any way shape or form that international league can compete with international union. Rugby League worldwide has been hampered through out history by bad decision making from those put in power. The greatest thing about our game is state of origin and beleving in that concept is the greatest decision that rugby league administrators have ever made. The thing that always annoys me about origin is when the likes of Uate and Tamou have to pledge allegiance to Australia when they are not Australian. League fans all around the world (which there are despite the myth that only two australian states and two english counties follow the game) love origin but personally i don't want to see the concept dilluted at the expense of the international game (which isn't going to take over the world but does have potential) Personally i would like to see some kind of qualification process for origin for players that are not from Queensland or New South Wales and at the same time those qualifying players should be ineligible for the Kangaroos. To qualify as an oversas origin player you would have to play 100 firstgrade games for a NSW or QLD club. NSW hasn't won a series since 2005 it is not surprising that was Andrew Johns' last series. You know who Andrew Johns' heir was???? Not Jarrod Mullen, not Mitchell Pearce. It was BENJI MARSHALL. I wonder where Benji is now???? Origin has a reach and a pull that you won't understand unless you are a league fan outside Australia.
Jz
Guest
or when QLD V NSW is on NZ could be playing a Pacific All Stars
Jz
Guest
BINGO ! Griffo, right on the monney
Jz
Guest
i also love international league
Jz
Guest
well maybe they would win a couple lol
Jz
Guest
what do you mean its full of Kiwis & islanders already, trust me you want even know the differance
Jz
Guest
Tamou when ask why he wanted to play origin & Australia he stated it would be a better decision financially THAT PISSED ME OFF ! & then after the 9's he took of his shirt showed of his Tar Moko tatto & stated he was still one of them , A KIWI ,dont tell me he has pride in that jersey when its only the cash his after. so whats the issue with a kiwi playing when we already have Kiwis playing, just change the rule to allow them to play for their country, he could play for the kiwis in 3 years any way with the rules the way they are...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't know.
The eye
Guest
State Rugby and cricket don't share the same passion because they don't follow any eligibility guidelines..Lotte,Wendell and Matty Rogers all played for the Waratahs as does Israel..Viv Richards played for Qld etc,etc nothing more than hired guns..the games forgotten at full time -but SOO is a civil war...you either get fired up or you don't,I guess.
Muzz
Guest
So why do you think they don't put as much commitment behind test footy?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's nice to know that Origin is unique because it is state v state. Though I suppose the state's that make up cricket's Sheffield Shield must be imaginary ones. And what about rugby's Super 12? That includes foreign states so I suppose that doesn't count. Origin is an excellent concept. It works. The games are usually intense, the story line is dramatic and it obviously has history and some kind tradition behind it. So all of the boxes for Origin have been ticked, especially commitment by the games Australian administrators. Unfortunately, Test football has not had that luxury.
Muzz
Guest
Unique - Unlike anything else In Australia, does RU,AFL and soccer/football have a state V state 3 game series that ticks all the boxes and then some? Do i have to clarify - "ticks all the boxes" or can you work that one out for yourself?
deanp
Guest
It may be a consideration. But for changing nationalities I doubt it. You certainly have no business making that claim of the 2 players you have named, both who grew up in Oz.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What is unique about Origin?
maximillian
Guest
We see players changing clubs for more money & even changing codes for more money all the time. If you dont think players would consider changing allegiances for more money then you are delusional.
deanp
Guest
Says you. How about you not judge others by your own low standards?
Scrubbit
Guest
How about rather than tainting origin any further, we move origin to stand alone weekends and actually turn it into a weekend of footy. Have a game between the European background players who aren't playing origin (eg Peter Wallace, Sam tomkins could play, burgess brothers etc) against a team made up of NZ and island players, but make it so players like uate, and tariq sims could play without affecting their alleigiences. Friday night: the European nations vs the NZ and Island nations Saturday night: tbc Sunday night: state of origin You could basically have match ups like tomkins v Locke, Uate v McManus, Burgess v teo. The only question is will people watch, and I think plenty will watch if good quality is assured.
Scrubbit
Guest
See ya later sterling as well. He'd be playing for QLD.
bangbang
Guest
Why is it '2' honorary players being allowed entry that's being thrown around? Mainly by Blues supporters too. Is it so they could have a Sam Burgess and a SBW? ;)
maximillian
Guest
But it was enough to cause Tamou/Papalii to change their allegiances the other way. Its natural for anyone to want to maximise their earnings in their chosen profession & RL players are no different.