MICHAEL HAGAN: Why players will ultimately pick the Kangaroos’ first-choice team at World Cup

Jimmy, You're old enough to know we are the sum of the choices we make. And most choices have consequences, either good or bad. So if you make a choice which leads to a consequence the price of which you have to bear, then that is the price you pay. Life is not a free for all. Contrary to what some people thing, you can't do just anything you want, or be whoever you want. But we live today in the world where "everyone wins a prize". If only that were true...

We will never agree on this issue . It's a matter of preference. All I know for a FACT is there are thousands and thousands of people in this country who have dual citizenship. I cannot deny them the Choice of which country they represent. I also can't deny someone born in Sydney who plays all their junior footy in NSW from playing Origin. So I MUST support the current arrangement. As for being hip ? I am the unhipest person on the planet . Just ask my grand kids. Enjoy the World Cup.

Jimmy, You might think it doesn't matter now, because it affects very few players. But what do think will happen to the Kangaroos if in the future a majority of Aussie born & NSW/Qld qualified players have committed to their country of heritage? Let's say 20 or more combined origin players want play for some other country. Oh, it'll be hilarious for Kangaroos selection & their competency. Have you thought this through properly? Or are you caught up with the 'it's hip' infection? When you reduce international sport to the same level as club footy, ie, players can represent 2,3 or more clubs, or countries, then you are making a mockery of inational representation & the pillars of history, tradition, heritage & tribalism. If this is what people want, then it's a farce.

Once Luai etc decide to play for their country of origin they lose their right to play Origin.' Should read 'under Sheeks rules , once Luai etc decide to play for their country of Origin they lose the right to play Origin.' Sheeks rules suck.

Jimmy, If you don't mind me saying, your logic is a bit skewiff. Pre-origin, NSW often contained half Qlders. But Kangaroos wise, it didnt matter. If they were good enough for NSW, they were more than likely good enough for Roos. It's all about SOO being reserved for Roos selection. Once Luai, etc decide to play for their country of heritage, they lose the right to play SOO. I don't think this concept is that difficult to accept. As for your architect mate, sport has always been viewed differently from the real world. As it ought to be. But of course, business intrusion wants to make sport as insidious & throwaway as everyday life.

Sheek I started watching State RL in the early 60s when the selection criteria was simple but unfair. Watching Beetson play for NSW nearly killed me. We then introduced Origin which was much fairer ( and improved the contest immeasurably). The Original rules were a little too fluid so they have gradually been changed . The current rules for selection are pretty good if a little complex. You know my family lived in a Brisbane suburb. My Dad was born in the house across the street. Nearly all his brothers and Sisters lived in that suburb or adjoining ones. One Aunt crossed the river to live on the North side . Never saw her again. I guess I'm saying it's a different world . Like it, don't like it but it exists. Luai born in Mt Druitt. Plays all his footy there. He has to be eligible for NSW. You can't deny him that surely. Should he also play for Australia ?. Well he's a Samoan citizen so surely he can play for them if he wants . As for Australia making him the player he is . Sure , but I have a friend who works I the UK as an architect. I went to Uni with him ( in the days when it was stupidly free) and he left for the UK as soon as he graduated ( as many did ) . Never returned . You want to stop people like him too.?

You talk about Luai and To'o as if they were on some kind of Aussie scholarship through their youth. There very much is a word to some it all up, but realise leopards don't change spots, so why bother.

Thanks Simon G, I appreciate a well thought out response. The reason I say they can't play state of origin is because that's the final dress show for Kangaroos jerseys, not Samoan, or Tongan, or English, or NZ jerseys. Sam Burgess wanted to play SOO, but was denied for precisely that reason. Plus the fact he wasn't Aussie at all. He tried to ague the residency rule. Guys like Luai & To'o got their grounding in NRL & all the junior levels that lead to NRL. Australia has made them the footballers they are. They couldn't achieve this standard back in Samoa. Australia has made them the players they are. But state of origin should be reserved for guys who want to play for Australia. The integrity of international representation needs to be protected & preserved, irrespective of current protocols, which in some cases are obviously flawed. Life is not a free for all, no matter how much we might think it, or want it. Thanks for your thoughtful post.

I'll do as I like thank you. W T F do you think this is , a game of Simon says ? Simon says......Don't comment on the junk numbering that Michael Hagan had input on and highlights in HIS article. Back in the corner Simon , no one wants to play your game .

I don't know if I can agree with you there Sheek. A classic example is both Luai and To'o, both born and raised in Mt Druitt, and judging by previous interviews etc are very proud of the fact that they are from that area, and as a result, are very keen to represent NSW. But at the same time they are Samoan, Samoan's born and living in Australia yes, but still Samoan, and seem to want to represent their heritage at a World Cup. Why should that desire to represent the country that all their family are from (and that they culturally identify with) stop them playing for the State that they actually originate from in a State of Origin series? The NRL still has measures in place to stop the SOO becoming a glorified all-stars match, we saw that a few years ago when Australia picked Semi Radradra due to residency, but he wasn't allowed to play for NSW. If they can have rules in place to make that happen, surely there's no problem when it goes the other way...

V'landys, appointed unopposed as Kangaroos Chairman of Selectors, would think he has, unopposed, the final say in who plays, himself. Does feel like a conflict of interest of sorts (imo).

Being of vintage when Qld vs NSW teams comprised players who were currently playing in the state from whence they were chosen. Understandably a consistent walkover for NSW. My point is that there will always be controversy re representative teams, both state and international.

The games have been mostly competitive so far, but I expect the Aussie v Scotland match to be a massive blow-out. Australia put 106 points on Russia in 2000, not sure if they get to that, but I think Josh Addo-Carr can give the record of 6 tries in a match (Val Holmes) a real shake.

Most sports in the world have fast and loose legibility rules with regards to who can represent at international events, so I don’t think rugby league will look to break their back on what they see as a non-issue. Incidentally, the Rugby League World Cup has identical eligibility rules as the Rugby Union World Cup: (a) a player’s country of birth; (b) a country where one parent or grandparent was born; or (c) Primary residence/ three years of consecutive residency immediately before representative duty. Rugby union international players can also swap countries after a 3 year test hiatus (Israel Folau moving from the Wallabies to Tonga). Quade Cooper highlights it perfectly having played 71 tests for Australia while travelling on a Kiwi passport. Same for Taniela Tupou, born in Tonga, raised and educated in NZ, plays for the Wallabies. Having said that, I do miss when SOO was effectively a trial for Kangaroo jumpers. It added something extra to the contest when national spots were up for grabs.

Heard you the precious times, yet is a house of cards argument that Origin is the Kangaroo selection trial - Addo Carr had mediocre form with Bulldogs and wasn't selected. Graham has never played for his State, so how did they know to pick him ?? Club form you may say? Arguing against yourself if that be the case. Cleary was meant to be not up to Origin pressure, yet why is he wearing green and gold ? Origin clearly isn't the Kangaroo selection trial. It's the annual series to judge which State is superior for that year. Nothing else. Players representing another country does not undervalue State of Origin one bit. The best players born, or, by and large, raised in a respective State. That is what you want, and that is what we have.

Could not agree. But so many pundits just want to hide behind the “logic” of Tier 1 and Tier 2 nation eligibility. But representing your country / state must have a bit of credibility. Daniel Tupou is a classic example. Sometimes he plays for Tonga, sometimes he plays for NSW / Australia. I wonder what the ruling would be if his Grand Mother was born in Auckland. Would he be eligible to play for NZ in this World Cup? We all know why the flexibility is there, but that results in the credibility not being there.

I'm sure Mick Hagan is fascinated to hear your thoughts on this. In fact I hear they have cancelled training this week so Mal and the coaching staff can discuss Origin & International eligibility criteria. Thanks for the article Mick, appreciate the insight into the Aussie camp. Healthy competition breeds success.

Italy mustn't be too happy about Teddy jumping ship & playing for Australia in the World Cup this time.

We have Michael Hagan writing an article for us and you use the opportunity to winge about the numbers on players backs!

I've been a strident critic of the pretend international flavour of rugby league. But let me clarify my position. If an Aussie born & reared player wants to represent the country of his heritage, then fine. But that decision comes with consequences. The major consequence being that they can't play state of origin (SOO). The parameters of interstate sport haven't changed in 100 years. Whether the old NSW played the old Qld or the SOO NSW plays the SOO Qld, then Kangaroos jerseys are up for grabs. It's a closed shop to anyone wanting to represent another country. If the overall standard of SOO drops slightly, then so be it. That's the price the game pays for wanting to go international. Integrity of nationality is important. I say it's vital. You're Aussie born & want to play for your country of origin? Make the call early & stick to it.