Why are more and more players choosing to forgo Origin?

Might lose a few $$ not playing SOO but there’re in line to make more from there NRL club by not playing and being available every round.

That's the way it should be Jimmy. Although it is evolving, we're getting to a situation where it's possible for players to get a fair payment even if they play for a supposedly less sexy team. The NRL and sponsors are gradually coming around to the idea that the fans just want to see quality footy. Soon enough Origin will be playing second fiddle to Tonga v Samoa, imagine that.

Because you are representing your place of origin, which can only be one place. NSW and Qld are both in Australia. I believe the rule should be that you represent where you were born. There would be no electing to represent Australia or New Zealand excluding you from playing for your country of heritage. Players who aren’t picked for SOO could then play for their country of heritage to keep those teams competitive. You would have a better spread of talent across the other nations. You also wouldn’t have someone born and raised in one state captaining the other (Greg Inglis) which is ridiculous. Kalyn Ponga wouldn’t play Origin because he was born in WA and he would play for New Zealand through his heritage. Luke Keary would and should qualify for Qld. 40% of NRL players have Polynesian heritage, imagine how strong the national teams would be if this was the rule. Australia couldn’t just pick the best of them and the others that currently elect NSW or Qld that don’t get picked could still play for the nation of heritage.

Why can't they have both..the two states are inside a country? Why doesn't the NRL allow players to rep at state and then go and play for other countries as well?

Good on TPJ for choosing his heritage over money but in my opinion he wouldn’t and shouldn’t have been picked for NSW. He’s had one massive game this year where he dominated the Cowboys and hasn’t been able to back it up since. The highlights from that game have people have people thinking he’s a freak. It’s the same case with Dylan Napa. I’d rather have a consistent, solid, hardworking middle forward than one that’s brilliant a couple of times a year. Especially in a 3 game Origin series.

I think players are starting to realise that the future is with the international game and the players want to be part of that. Outside of the World Cup this is biggest year for the Pacific teams. Tonga alone are playing Samoa, the Kiwis, Great Britain and Australia. Their adoring fans will pack out the stadiums. It is not just the South Pacific where Rugby League is going well. Just in the last week there is confirmation that another Canadian team as well as a New York franchise will enter the English leagues. The Super League just also recently had a super league record crowd in Barcelona of all places.

One could argue JT’a move was more impactful but either way both Fifita and JT led the way for change.

Actually Andrew Fifita lead the change and was howled down by many. Respect to him.

Good on him North. Someone who chooses a course that will actually be to their financial detriment should be respected .

I'm massively impressed by the actions of young guys opting for heritage over money. But as we all acknowledge, the players earning window is very narrow and some are much better placed financially to follow their hearts. I can only speculate, but I wonder if Jason would have gone to Tonga if he wasn't lucky enough to have a ten year gig with the Cowbies.

All I can respond with is you can't eat memories.

I think it's closer to $50k now

Well it is good to see people who put values above money.

Money doesn’t alway motivate, the coin is long gone but the pride and memories remain

Very simple answer, $30,000 per game. I admire the loyalty to Nation, but thirty kay is a lot of money.

Jason chose Tonga over New Zealand not Origin. It was Fafita who turned his back on NSW in favour of Mate Maa. Regarding Pangai, he's already played for Tonga and while second tier eligibility rules are a bit 'flubbery', there's still no guarantee he would have been selected. Kudos to him for the early call to halt any media speculation before it got out of hand.

This sort of thing has always been tricky, it used to be and still is by my account that you played for the state that you played your first A grade game for but now thats just a mess. I have never been happy that a player can play origin but then deficit to a team of hertiage just because they didnt get picked for the Australian side. The problem is that we now have so many international players in our ranks that players from QLD and NSW are no longer enough to keep Origin going, talent from other States and countries have to be used to keep Origin at its highest level. It should be simple,but unfortunately its not and there is no simple answer to reslove it.

JT has led the way for change. There will be more to follow.

It wasn't that long ago that players choosing Origin over national honours was going to have severe repercussions. I'm sure the narative will flip again next time a player makes a decision based on their personal circumstances.

Oh by the he way TPG is a Tongan citizen so let him decide. Fair eh.?