Jason Taumalolo can’t play Origin. It really is that simple. But it’s not because he plays for Tonga.
The North Queensland enforcer changed not only the island nation’s fortunes by declaring he would represent them instead of New Zealand at the 2017 World Cup, but the entire international rugby league landscape.
As a result of his defection, the likes of Andrew Fifita, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, David Fusitu’a, Solomone Kata, Tevita Pangai Junior, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tuimoala Lolohea also pledged their allegiance to Tonga, the knock-on effect being that players of Samoan, Fijian and other island nation heritage are choosing to represent these Tier 2 nations instead of Australia or New Zealand.
It’s a great thing that has happened and it looks likely to continue as long as players who represent these Tier 2 and 3 nations are allowed to also play Origin.
Which they are.
With the suggestion that the Pacific Test be moved from Origin period to the end of the year, players who have decided to represent Tonga, Samoa or Fiji could also play for their state.
And that’s just fine by me. Watching the video footage Andrew Fifita posted of his grandfather weeping after Fifita told the older man of his decision to represent Tonga showed exactly how much it meant.
Meanwhile, Fifita was “shattered and gutted” that he had to miss the Indigenous All Stars match this season due to injury because he’s proud of his Indigenous heritage too, as evidenced by his five caps for the side.
We’re a big, beautiful melting pot of a nation and it’s entirely feasible for someone to be Tongan, Aboriginal and a New South Welshman, and have a desire to represent all three.
But here’s what you can’t do: represent Australia and New Zealand.
That’s not my rule, it’s right there on page two of the International Rugby League’s rules of eligibility: “A Player can only ever elect to represent one (1) Tier One Nation. A Player cannot change eligibility from one Tier One Nation to another Tier One Nation.”
And, just so we’re clear, “’Tier One Nation’ means Australia, England or New Zealand”.
It’s a smart rule.
We want players from Tier 2 and Tier 3 to represent these smaller countries so that they stop being regarded as lower tiers. Hopefully in 15 or 20 years, we’ll be at a stage of development that means the likes of Tongan, Samoa and Fiji are regarded as Tier 1.
Jason Taumalolo has turned his back on the Kiwis. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Until we get there however, having a bit of flexibility in eligibility is a good thing.
But New Zealand does not need this particular leg up. They may not be as consistently good as the Kangaroos but they are very much in the upper echelon, both in regards to the talent they have available and the expectations of their performances.
And, as evidenced by the fact he was born and bred in Auckland, as well as the ten games he played in the famous black jersey, Taumalolo is a New Zealander.
If Jason Taumalolo had only ever represented Tonga, he may have been able to also play for Queensland (although whether he lived in the Sunshine State prior to his 13th birthday is seemingly up for debate – the Tele says he did, but in an interview from last year, Taumalolo says he came over at the age of 13).
But the Dally M winner made the decision in 2014 to represent the nation of his birth, which was long after the loophole that Tonie Carroll exploited to play for both countries had been closed.
In short, Taumalolo knew what the ramifications were when he first played for New Zealand: he was ineligible for Origin.
He still made the decision.
Now he wants to play and the justification for allowing him seems to be ‘because Jason Taumalolo is sick at footy’.
I intimated in last week’s column that I’m getting kind of sick of Peter V’landys’ laissez faire attitude to rules – whether that be by simply creating new ones on the field or choosing to ignore player welfare ones off it – but I do accept that sometimes you need to be, as the chairman calls it, “flexible”.
Well when it comes to representative football, we are already more than flexible enough.
People can play for Tier 2 or 3 nations and still get a start in State of Origin.
But if you decide to play for New Zealand or England, you’re out of the Origin conversation.
And Jason Taumalolo just deciding he’d like to play a game for Queensland is not reason enough to cheapen international rugby league.
Crow
Roar Pro
Of course he can play for Queensland. You sound like a man from NSW.
Micko
Roar Rookie
NZ is fine in development. Most of the PI guys defecting were from NZ (like Taumalolo). They need to sort out the farcical ability for Aus & NZ players to defect at will.
damo
Roar Rookie
One way to fix any & all of the issues involved in playing Origin- it is selection to play for Australia & that is it. If you choose to be available for Origin you play for Australia & no-one else. Tiers? Too bad- I know we want to grow the game but perhaps it is time to make players choose what is more important to them? Naturally we'll have players who choose the glory of Origin (& the obvious cash) over any feelings for ancestral/heritage feelings, but I can't help think we'll also have plenty who go the other way. But there'll be no in between, you're either in or out. I acknowledge all of the vagaries of citizenship, IRLF rules etc etc & know that there exists every shade of grey in every individual situation. Too bad- if you are an Australian citizen/resident & meet the criteria to play SOO then you are in line to play for Australia & that's it. If you aren't selected for the Kangaroos then no more Tier 2 WC jaunts for you in the event you aren't selected for Australia. Ever...may be too harsh, so if a player renounces their eligibility for Australia & never be available for selection/play Origin again , there will be a dispensation to allow a player to play for another nation. This has to occur 2 years before the next WC for example, so it is not a 'didn't get selected for Australia' decision, it's a I desire to play for "...." (insert nation here) decision. I admit it isn't ideal but tbh I'm a bit over the picking & choosing going on. Either SOO is still about playing for Australia & if it isn't, then just call it the All Stars series & be done with it. I'll still watch, but I won't care about it like I do Origin & I certainly won't ever be buying an All Stars jersey etc like I own Maroons gear. So if having the best players & making it the biggest RL show on earth is what matters then I think the NRL etc should be aware that there is every chance that it will actually turn out to be less interesting.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Folau was fine under the rules of the time. He moved to QLD just in time to play his first O16s footy which is what qualified you then. If they had been making their debuts after 2012 though, Folau would be definitely a Blue, while Tamou & Uate would be politely told they were not eligible. Inglis was a Blue under either set of rules but there would have been even less confusion.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Personally I have no issue with players representing more then one country at a national level. I believe letting players play for lower tier nations when not selected for their home country allows those nations to grow to a competitive level, and I think the restrictions on players representing more then one top tier nation protect against those nations abusing their economic strength. I think the current rules work as intended but they could be presented clearer. At the moment you can nominate a nation that you qualify for as the nation you represent and if that nation is a Tier 1 and you don't get selected you can play for a lower tier nation that you also qualify for. That's all fine by me
elvis
Roar Rookie
That's possibly the most insulting thing I have been called ever...
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Apologies, it was Walter advocating Choice & Simplicity. Whats your thoughts on those lines of logic? Walter Black Guest March 30th 2021 @ 10:19am My comment relates to Origin not international but no doubt, the same issue applies. For me, it needs to be simplified. The issue should be reduced to 1. Where were you born ? 2. Where have you lived for most of your life ? Every player should then be allowed to choose either 1 or 2. Once chosen, that should be for life. So a player who came to Queensland from Fiji at the age of 5 would be able to choose either Fiji or Australia. If that player chooses Fiji then they are ineligible to play for Australia and Origin. If they choose Australia then they would be eligible for Queensland. Keep it simple. The more we complicate it then the more complicated problems we will create.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think you may have me confused with someone else
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Having you also been advocating who you choose to play for in Origin? How many points ratings would you allocate to that in an "Origin" based competition?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Matt, the number of foreign-born players in Australia has grown immensely since Origin was first introduced back in 1980. We live in a different world now. Origin interest from overseas has increased dramatically in so many different countries. I don't believe players from Europe need to be eligible as they have their own major leagues. Elite players from PNG, Tonga, Samoa & Fiji come here seeking sporting careers & their talent must be recognised by being eligible to play in an Origin Series rebranded Maroons vs Blues. Document the eligibility criteria when they sign their first NRL contract & strictly enforce it. To keep the World Cup viable, a documented criterion must include who you play for in it. Playing in Origin doesn’t automatically qualify you to play for Australia. I believe Rugby League could achieve great benefit from having these Pacific Superstars playing in an Origin Series increasing interest from both within Australia & back in their home countries where often Rugby is the major sport. I also believe only NRL contracted players should be eligible. The Blues should not be able to fly SBW in from France due to the fact that he has previously played in Sydney. Who knows, some of these Superstars might remain in the NRL due to being able to play Origin instead of heading off to Europe to League or Rugby.
Emcie
Roar Guru
You seem pretty intent on showcasing your ignorance. Yes, those are very different questions, which is precisely why a weighted points system is used with 1 of six available points for where you were born and four of the rest based junior footy. Falau didn't only play in the NRL, he didn't get picked off the street by the Storm, he was in the QRLs system for years prior. And congratulations, you've managed to stumble across one of the chief factors that lead to the conception of the Origin concept in the first place, absolute genius...
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
MJ, I couldn't have written it better myself
Emcie
Roar Guru
What are you on about? He played for qld schoolboys in the national under 15s championship, won a premiership with North's Devils and made the QLD under 19 side at 16. Hate to break it to ya but the QRL and NSWRL most definitely come under the NRL's umbrella
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Like Folau & Inglis?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Is that why James Tedesco played for Italy in the World Cup? There was no public outcry then like there is now with JT. Were you opposed to it at the time? The NRL didn't care, they just wanted the best players playing in the tournament. That is why me must set some solid criteria rules. At the moment it is an embarasment that needs urgent attending to
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Israel Folau was 20 years old when he first played for a Qld based side. How does that stack up against your previous statement?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Where you were born & what state you first officially played first? Those are two totally different criteria that often conflict. If you had to chose one distinct eligibility factor, what would it be. Folau never played in the NSWRL, he only ever played in the NRL. BTW, Arthur Beetson played played for NSW 18 times in the NSWRL prior to playing for Qld in origin. You might want to reconsider your opening statement. "QRL vs NSWRL, anything else is just advertising".
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Semi Radradra played for Fiji in 2013-2014 & then for Australia in 2016. How does that work?
elvis
Roar Rookie
So why are the best players picked for rep games and not outstanding clubmen who do lots of charity work? Aren't premierships about the best team? How does the Storm win when it has lots of above average players but not so many stars? Are you just arguing for the sake of it? lol
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi KenW. I wasn’t meaning nsw/qld bidding war, I was meaning bidding war with the clubs. I’m just a poor explainer sorry