International Rugby League (IRL) is set to confirm that Pacific Island nations will remain as Tier 2 nations for the foreseeable future, despite Samoa reaching the Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final in this year’s tournament.
Newscorp are reporting that IRL will maintain the status quo until 2030 at the earliest, a move that will ensure that the likes of Brian To’o, Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai will be able to continue playing for New South Wales in Origin but representing Samoa at international level.
Under current rules, players can switch between Tier 1 nations – Australia, New Zealand and England – and Tier 2 nations, essentially everyone else, once per calendar year.
Origin is an internal Australian competition and eligibility rules are set by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), not IRL, so the choice remains available to the ARLC should they choose to change it.
With international football set to be played exclusively at the end of the NRL season in the Southern Hemisphere, the decision to keep Pacific nations in Tier 2 essentially creates a loophole wherein New South Wales and Queensland can pick players who are eligible for Origin but who have no intention of playing for Australia on the proviso that they have not yet declared for their other nation.
This already existed this year, with Daniel Tupou and Felise Kaufusi opting for NSW and Queensland respectively midseason ahead of Tonga’s Test with New Zealand, but linking up with Mate Ma’a ahead of the World Cup. Siosifa Talakai did the same.
Luai, To’o, Paulo and Stephen Crichton of NSW – plus Josh Papali’i for Queensland – all played Origin and then for Samoa, while Api Koroisau turned out for both the Blues and Fiji.
Some have argued that the performances of the Pacific nations in the men’s tournaments should force them to be elevated to Tier 1, however IRL tiering has never been based on-field performances.
None of Samoa, Tonga or Fiji had Womens or Wheelchair teams able to qualify for the recent World Cup and domestic structures remain resolutely below Tier 1 standards.
IRL Chair Troy Grant told Newscorp that tiering would be discussed in the near future, but was unlikely to change.
“I don’t think that (Samoa and Tonga being upgraded) will change any time soon,” he said.
“We have a December board meeting where eligibility and tiering is on the agenda because of the interest and the lack of understanding.
“Tiering about nations is not just about on-field performance. It also takes into account domestic competitions, participation levels and governance arrangements.
“Whilst Samoa and Tonga’s on-field national teams are performing to a level of excellence, they have some work to do on the domestic front.
“It’s those performances that will hopefully drive the standards in their nations back at home and we’ll see where that takes us.
“The aspiration of Samoa and Tonga (to reach Tier 1) is terrific and we will do everything we can to support them because that’s our job, but we don’t want to set them up to fail either.
“You want to make a tier-one elevation based on a really strong framework so as countries their performances can be sustainable on and off the field.”
Many had hoped for a rule change that would allow anyone who has lived in their state prior to the age of 13 to play Origin regardless of international affiliation.
(Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images)
That would be music to the ears of Victor Radley, who essentially ruled himself out of Origin by playing for England – he has an English father, but was born and raised in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs – who are a Tier 1 nation.
Former England coach Wayne Bennett recently added his voice to those calling for a rule change, describing the current setup as ‘bullshit’ and cited the strong viewing figures on both sides of the world as proof that the international game was a major drawing card for the sport.
“Let’s stop the bullshit. It’s not that complicated,” said the former Queensland coach on the rules, which are set to be debated at upcoming ARLC meetings.
“Everyone needs to think about what is in the game’s best interests here. We have to acknowledge where international football is heading.
“We had more than 600,000 people who got up in the middle of the night to watch that game (the World Cup Final). That shows there is a market for it, and we are in the entertainment business.
“What I’m saying is the criteria to play for Queensland and NSW must not change, but what should change is that players should be available for selection for a whole lot of countries outside Australia.
“Victor Radley should be allowed to play for NSW and also play for England. But he will never play for Australia. He made that choice. But he still ticks all the boxes to play Origin because he grew up playing his football in NSW.
“What a lot of people seem to be struggling to understand is that these players like Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai and Brian To’o, they’ve all grown up in Sydney.
“So under the criteria as it is now they qualify for Origin. Then you have a bloke like Tom Burgess, who doesn’t tick the boxes, because Tom grew up in England. So he shouldn’t be playing Origin. So the criteria stays the same in that respect.”
Micko
Roar Rookie
That literally makes no sense: Queensland isn't in Samoa and NSW isn't in Tonga!!!
sheek
Roar Guru
George Orwell's 1984 three principle tenants state: 1. War is peace. 2. Freedom is slavery. 3. Ignorance is strength. 'Ignorance is Strength' is certainly true for those changing history by suggesting state of origin has NEVER been about chasing Kangaroos jerseys. It certainly was about chasing Kangaroos jerseys from 1908-79 & when state of origin was introduced in 1980, it was designed to allow Queenslander living & playing in Sydney a better opportunity to play for their state & bid for a Kangaroos jersey. It was NEVER intended to allow for players born in NSW or Qld to play for their state but then declare another country as their preferred country of representation. Since 1908 NSW vs Qld has always been about Kangaroos jerseys, not Samoan, or Tongan, or English jerseys. The NRL is there to develop all these other Aussie wanna-be players for other countries. If the governing bodies don't recognise their own principles then the game can be damned.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
All the article shows is that Bennett has finally bothered to read the eligibility rules for Origin.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Last I heard (feel free to correct) it was a zone based competition, Dogs. For example, the Dunedin zone competition had six teams with fluctuating player numbers. In Auckland, clubs are tucked away on smaller suburban grounds (and it is very easy to tuck things away in that city!). NZ did have a national competition but that collapse just after the Warriors joined the NRL. I believe it is amateur. NZRL needs government funding to keep the competition running.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Wayne Bennett was right. This is a joke. Hence the cynical call by the NRL to keep Samoa and Tonga as tier-two nations instead of tier-one given their recent performances and the fact they are stacked with NRL talent. All this to keep State of Origin eligibility out of the equation.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’re the dill if you think someone can’t be a proud Queenslander AND a proud Samoan or a proud NSWman AND a proud Tongan It’s not 1952 any more. You profess to not caring about this, constantly demonstrate you don’t understand what’s going on but then spend so much of your time thinking and writing about it… and you’ve got the nerve to call other people dills… :laughing:
sheek
Roar Guru
The Barry, I don't give a stuff. I can't change it, but I don't have to like it or accept it. As an human being, I have choice, & if rugby league no longer pleases me I have the power to take my interest elsewhere. I'll leave it to you dills to have NSW & Qld teams full of wanna-be Samoans, wanna-be Tongans & wanna-be Poms.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Nail on the head. Each time they represent, it is merely a tribute to their heritage, a thanks to the bloodlines that course through their aortic artery. For the reasons you clearly point out, the games can never show as foundation blocks for future generations to build on back in the heritage country. They will always be just tribute games played by Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Jamaica, Scotland, Ireland, and thirty + other ranked nations. Is not quite the same for all tier 2 countries, though. # PNG, it's their national sport. The game is played at the grass roots level, have played Qld Cup for a number of year, including a premiership, so they do possess a potential to grow the game further. # France, who have had a team in the UK Super League for some time. Growth of the game in France already has its foundation to build upon. # Fiji, while not League, they do have a Rugby / Champion Rugby 7s influence in their homeland, so would have some chance of producing some home grown league stars. Not the rest though. They will always be tier 2. Eight years is really just to appease those who would be affronted by use of your word, forever.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Walker moved to Australia before he could walk. His name at the time should have been Scooter. The previous 150 years hold no water. He is eligible for Qld, but born in England, so undeniably eligible for England whenever he so chooses to swap. The Maroons mentioned have not been to highlight anything wrong with them representing Qld, but to highlight the totally crass north or the border movement to ban players born in NSW. If To'o and Tupou were Qld born, you'd be 100% behind him playing for Samoa and Tonga if that's what they felt like doing. The overriding problem from day 1 of sheeks gospel according to himself, is Qld's problem with NSW starting to compete again at Origin level, even after taking the last series. Sort yourselves out, or stay that way. Couldn't give a rat's either way.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
It really just takes the cake that there has been a call to ban NSW-born players, largely, if not wholly put forward by a selection of Qld melatonin-free caucasia, anti-Luai fans, or both, claiming an affront via the participation of players holding certificates confirming birth in NSW, all the while, freely accepting the recruitment of non-Australians, only holding a NZ birth certificate, as no problem at all. Personally, the 12yr-old NZ certificate holder who wants to play Origin is fine, but definitely not fine if you want to outlaw NSW-born Australians.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mission accomplished… The rules aren’t nonsense… basing state based eligibility around international competitions rules - and vice versa - is what’s nonsense They’re different competitions that have no relationship to one another except in your head
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
1. When Australia came into being on 1/1/1901 by joining a bunch of British colonies New Zealand declined the offer. Western Australia accepted on the condition that a railway be built between Sydney and Perth. 2. State of Origin would not have occurred if NSW and Qld declined the offer. 3. as someone coming from a soccer country, Brazil?
sheek
Roar Guru
The Barry, I don’t care what the current eligibility rules are, they’re nonsense. I’m not here to be popular or liked, I say what I believe should be the case.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, exactly. Why would you change the eligibility rules to reduce its quality…? It’s a daft concept
The Barry
Roar Guru
“But once a guy decides to choose another country, the consequence of that choice is to lose the right to play state of origin” You just made that up. That’s not the rule and but should it be Origin and international footy are completely separate competitions. Their eligibility laws aren’t dependent If someone chooses to play for another country they should lose the right to play in the NRL… that makes zero sense but every bit as much sense as your comment…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Do you think it’s likely I’d come whining to you…? :laughing: I don’t get the problem. Nothing has changed about the eligibility laws for Origin
terrence
Roar Rookie
people are different..unless you're tongan or samoan you wouldn't understand..
Bill
Guest
Definitely not Apia
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Just to clarify, the fact the Poms picked up Radley, doesn't mean he has been missing any Origin games over the years. He has always been eligible for selection up until this year (the World Cup year) where he suddenly declared his allegiance to the King. Up until then, he has not been selected based on others being better.
Dave
Guest
Sorry that’s straight cap “established and self-sustaining local competition to build its international footprint.” - why is this linked to whether someone is origin eligible, makes zero sense. If your on-field performance is of a certain standard you should stand on your own two feet and not take part in an Australian representative fixture “As soon as you remove the chance to play SOO from some players, they won’t play for Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, etc.” - you literally replace origin with more test match opportunities, incredibly easy solution. Can’t believe I even have to spell that one out for you. Advocate to lift test football, not water down origin “They need time to establish their own competitions to be able to develop their locals into international quality players. Otherwise, the Rugby League World Cup will continue to be filled with NRL and SL players.” - will literally never happen to the level required to be a tier 1 nation under the current guidelines, so either you change the guidelines so on-field performance and off-field metrics (which clearly don’t have any correlation) are no longer linked, or dust your hands and go “island nations will be tier two forever”