Peter V'landys flags major change to State of Origin eligibility rules
Under the current rules, players who are eligible for tier-one nations New Zealand and England effectively have to choose whether they want to play internationals against Australia or play Origin.
But players eligible for tier-two nations such as Tonga and Samoa, are eligible to play for New South Wales or Queensland.
NSW Blues stars Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai have all pledged to play for Samoa at this year's Pacific Championships.
Rising Canberra Raiders star Kaeo Weekes was the latest big name to make the decision, committing to a representative career with Australia and the NSW Blues after reportedly rejecting an approach to play for the Kiwis.
Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa also previously opted to play for Tonga over New Zealand in order to keep his Origin hopes alive in the future.
But that could all change as the ARL Commission reviews a potential change to eligibility.
'It is something we're going to have to look at again and to me there does seem to be a stronger push this time for change,' V'landys told SMH.
'It is a strong argument that if you've played your footy in Australia before the age of 13 and you are eligible to play Origin, why shouldn't you be able to?
'If we were to change the rules, it would only be for New Zealand and English players.
'They're the tier-one countries impacted. [Players from] tier-two nations like Samoa and Tonga can still play State of Origin and represent those nations.
'It's a polarising idea. When we've consulted on any possible Origin eligibility changes some people have loved it, others hated it.
'We want a strong international game and calendar, and we want Australia to be challenged. And we want to respect the players and the nations they want to play for, and the argument for change is one we'll consider.
'It wouldn't be open slather – it would be mostly New Zealand players, and any change would be considered to ensure they're not left behind.'
Under the potential changes, Kalyn Ponga could play for the Kiwis and Queensland, while Victor Radley would be free to represent England and NSW.
That is the only change under consideration, and players would still need to have lived in NSW or Queensland before 13 to qualify for Origin.
According to NZRL chief Greg Peters, 11 players in this year's Origin squads are eligible for the Kiwis.
Peters welcomed the potential changes, highlighting Ponga as the perfect example.
'A guy like Kalyn Ponga is a good example. He's a proud Maori, proud New Zealander and a proud Queenslander. But at the moment he doesn't have the ability to play for New Zealand should he chose to. He's a really good example,' he said.
'The other one is Jarome Luai. Who knows, Jarome Luai might probably want to play for Samoa, and good on him for doing so.
'But he played Junior Kiwis and the point is that his pathway to the Kiwis was shut down the moment he was selected to play Origin.
'Samoa is going to have a team stacked full of Origin players, which is great for the game, but it's not available to us. We strongly support a review of these rules.'
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