With the 2021 State of Origin series all but wrapped up, the chatter has already turned to which players will wear the coveted Australian Kangaroos jersey at the end of the season.
Like in all years previous, there are the usual discussion points. Who deserves the No. 7 jumper? Will the winning Origin team make up most of the Kangaroos 17? These topics generate your usual state-based parochialism, and nearly every answer or opinion will depend on which side of the Tweed you live.
A much more important debate, however, is now being had over the capacity for some players to not only play but thrive in the Origin arena before ‘turning their back’ on the green and gold to instead playing for the nation of their heritage. Specifically this applies to Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and to a lesser extent Josh Papalii.
All three of these players are proud Samoans, and each has expressed a desire to represent Toa Samoa on the international stage.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has already spoken on the matter, declaring that while he accepts Papalii’s decision – as he has earnt the right to choose who he wants to play for after a long and distinguished representative career – he wants Luai to pledge his allegiance to Australia.
One would think after witnessing To’o’s heroics for New South Wales that the same would apply for the Panthers pocket rocket as well.
Brian To’o. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
First things first: this is completely understandable sentiment from Meninga. He can talk all he wants about wanting to ensure the fabric of Origin is maintained and that all Origin players must therefore be eligible and available for Australia, but the bottom line is that he is employed to win football games as coach of the Kangaroos.
As such a key stakeholder in the game, however, not only being coach of the Kangaroos but also holding roles in club land with the Titans and in the media – not to mention the fact he is an Immortal – Meninga should be looking at the bigger picture.
For years international rugby league was nothing more than a gimmick. It was Australia by how much provided there was no stunning upset by New Zealand. England (or Great Britain) ceased being genuinely competitive in the 1990s.
That all changed in 2017 when Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita chose to represent Tonga over New Zealand and Australia respectively in that year’s World Cup. A marker was set, and soon a number of big name players, including Manu Ma’u, Tevita Pangai Junior, Michael Jennings and David Fusitua, followed.
The rise of Tonga as a genuine international force culminated in the the biggest upset in international history, a 16-12 win over the Kangaroos in front of a sea of red in Auckland.
It was also no accident, as these days a large number of the game’s participants at both junior and senior level are Polynesian.
While Tonga will continue to push on as an international force despite some of their big names not having the same star power they did in years gone by, in 2021 it is Samoa who are looking the most likely.
Key to their success, however, is the availability of the three aforementioned State of Origin stars and particularly Jarome Luai.
If there was one area that Tonga continued to fall short in, even during their surge between 2017 and 2019, it was the halves. In Jarome Luai, however, Samoa will possess one of the game’s most devastating playmakers at the peak of their powers.
Sure, it might not sit well with some people that Luai plays for New South Wales and then Samoa, but as per current eligibility rules he can do just that. He was born and raised in Mt Druitt, Sydney, and has Samoan heritage. Open and shut.
And before people raise the argument of Jason Taumalolo being ruled ineligible for Queensland this year, he had the option earlier in his career to play for the Maroons but chose New Zealand instead. As per the rules, he is not eligible for State of Origin. Open and shut.
So given Luai, To’o and Papalii are all eligible for Samoa and want to play for Samoa, they should do just that.
The Kangaroos have the depth of talent to go without them.
No Luai? No worries – play Cameron Munster at No. 6.
No To’o? No worries, play Valentine Holmes or Dane Gagai on the wing. Josh Addo-Carr will dominate on the other flank.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
Where there may be a worry for the Kangaroos is if Junior Paulo, Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui follow the lead of these trailblazers and also choose Samoa over Australia. That will leave the Kangaroos front row stocks light on but by no means exposed. You’ve still got Daniel Saifiti, who only last week expressly stated his desire to play for Australia, Jake Trbojevic, Christian Welch, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Jai Arrow and Dale Finucane, each of whom can do more than just a job up front.
Given this depth, players with Polynesian heritage who possess a genuine desire to represent that heritage on the international stage should be encouraged to do so. There will always be enough young players who yearn to play for the Kangaroos to keep them competitive long into the future.
It shouldn’t be up to Meninga to try and convince an established superstar like Jarome Luai to renege on his desire to represent his heritage. That decision should be left entirely to the individual and should be influenced only by personal values and beliefs. While Meninga is by no means doing anything wrong by trying to tempt Luai into wearing the green and gold, his energy would be better served focusing on the players who genuinely want to wear that jersey.
Another argument that is sometimes bandied about on social media and possibly other places is that it is somehow disrespectful for Australian-born players to want to wear the jersey of a Tonga, Samoa or Fiji. This is not true in any circumstance. If we’re fair dinkum about growing the international game, those jerseys should be worth just as much as the green and gold.
The better the international game gets, the more lucrative it becomes. Imagine a World Cup semi-final between Tonga and Samoa – while it might not generate as much interest in the northern hemisphere, you can almost guarantee it would sell out Suncorp Stadium or Eden Park and potentially even set TV records for international rugby league.
We need to break ground on the international stage, not keep the status quo.
The Kangaroos will always be competitive, but they don’t have an inherent right to get first crack at all available talent – even those who play State of Origin.
So let’s make the international game great, not just the Kangaroos.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Are you a Victorian or a Canberran?
Antonio Belfort
Guest
Tonga, Samoa and Fiji have fully fledge Rugbyleague competitions running in their countries. Since 1988 Tonga's competition has been pumping so maybe with a little research? You'd know these things.
Rob9
Roar Guru
That’s kind of my whole point there Kent. NZ picking their absolute best available side should be able to knock us off every 4 or 5 games. That’s something to keep some sort of life in the rivalry. If their best players of Tongan and Samoan heritage are off playing with those countries, that probably blows out to a win every 7 or 8 games. All so we can manufacture a couple of teams that might beat Australia once in 10+ games. At least from an Australian perspective (which is all I can really speak for as an Australian), I don’t think such a landscape is an engaging one for the international game (which is a front that has struggled to gain traction in Australia). Willie’s article this morning selected a dream Samoan side. There’s 4 or 5 guys in there that would walk into the kiwis side. If Tonga did the same, the kiwis would be fairly well decimated. That’s why I suggest ‘international’ rugby league at the top level be confined to the 3 countries where almost all of the professional talent is born and developed through. Make this as strong and competitive as can be. Take the eligibility decision out of the players hands but then offer them the opportunity to represent their ancestry in an ‘island of heritage’ concept. That would allow for teams like Willie’s to actually become a reality. Send these players off the their home Islands to promote rugby league and prepare for the big game, before alternating an annual showdown between Parramatta Stadium and Eden Park. Something like that could be huge and do as good a job if not a better one at selling the game to these important communities and beyond.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
"Have a country the size of a suburb that might knock off Australia once in every 20 games." - I'd pay to see that
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
nothing worse than when the same team wins all of the time. As an Aussie, I thought it was great (albeit sad) when NZ won the RLWC2008. That is probably why the RWC is so good - despite the All Blacks dominance over the past 4 years between cups (& 100 years prior) they are no certainty to win it.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
well if all of the Pasifika players represented the country of their birth (as is mostly in RU) then imagine how powerful they would be. But instead - look at the PI players representing Oz, NZ, England etc, their loyalty is the the $$ that they will gain from winning tests for a bigger nation, based on the short "residency" rule that makes them eligible for their adopted country. RL is different as it is played mainly in Oz, to a lesser degree in the north of UK and NZ
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
if u were the player who got dropped because of it I think you would be - if you read it I said "if he took "my" spot"
TA
Guest
ARL is held to ransom when a player born, bred and funded to learn the game in Australia decides who he wants to play for. If they choose Origin then they choose Australia, why should we elevate opposition players by exposing them to a game closest in intensity to a test match. There are way too many non Australian players in Origin diluting the intensity of the game, Origin will fade away as will my support for it and the international game.
Michael Carbone
Guest
Republican you only have to think about holidaying to certain countries and you qualify to play RL for them. Notice how 99% of "International" games are played in Sydney Australia. Sums it up
Kick n Clap
Guest
Barry, Never mind the 1986 tour, you can’t go past the “Invincible’s Tour ” of 1982. I was hooked on Rugby League after seeing the Kangaroos on that tour. And yes, as Brit living in Perth what do I think and what do I know , what the game needs? Well,, The Aussie NRL “knuckle-heads “ need to get over themselves. Without Internationals and our game will shrivel and die. It’s OK looking now saying isn’t the game wonderful because of SOO , but the actually longevity of the game product, lasts approximately three weeks during the three games. Then it is back to normal. In VIC ,SA WA it is back to AFL vacuum. And do know what their biggest regret is?? They can’t understand why nobody else likes the game!!! Look at RU here in Oz. The game is going backwards. Are the Rebels going to be successful? The Waste of Farce are going to be bank-rolled,so Twiggy can prove a point, but rest of teams it’s status Quo. The Reds can stick their chests out , but if when the Broncs fire, its back to inside pages for QLD Yawion. Back to the topic, Yes we need the Kangaroos Yes Australia needs NZ, England,Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa . And RL needs to expand Nationally. and Internationally . Full stop.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
totally agree but you get one chance to make up your mind.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
nah you should come over to wait awhile! then you will know. But for my limited two bobs worth once you accept a gig with origin then you have decided. no choosing otherwise once you have accepted selection for an aussie state side.
Nat
Roar Guru
I have no doubt crayola fun fill most your Fridays nights. Try stay within the lines sport, mum will be proud. :thumbup:
Rob9
Roar Guru
*Eye roll* Still got these crayolas here… tip is not to eat them…
Nat
Roar Guru
Baaahahahahahaha, you try to make your point by acknowledging that your decimated 2017 WC squad beat Aust 12 months later! :laughing: :laughing:
Rob9
Roar Guru
How much international rugby league has there been over the last 18 months? That win over the Kangaroos you keep harping on about happened under 12 months after the World Cup and if you’re all about more recent results, Australia beat the Kiwis 26-4 12 months later. You really are a lightweight.
Nat
Roar Guru
Get over 2017. FFS it's 2021 and they are undisputed world No. 2 on the park and No. 1 in the ranking. They have beaten everyone since 2017, including Aust. It was 4 yrs ao. You're arguing for the sake of it. Your point has been squashed many times over. Go play with these Crayolas you seem to have at hand.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Yep :laughing: :laughing:
Rob9
Roar Guru
Since the start of the 2017 WC they’ve lost to Tonga (a team stacked with players that have represented the Kiwis) for the first time ever- fact. They lost to Fiji (a team Australia went on to beat in the semi, 54-6)- fact. They didn’t make the semi finals at a World Cup for the first time ever- fact. They’ve lost half their games against England/GB (games they’d start as favourites in with all of their players available)- fact. Your argument is based on a win against Australia and a few W’s against teams that they should beat (certainly if they had all the players that have played for them available)- fact. Now you’re pulling out injuries and suspensions as excuses. Hey genius, you know what else weakens a side…. Losing players who switch their allegiance to other countries.