Jason Taumalolo State of Origin debate has Maroons greats split

While one Queensland legend doesn’t want the game ‘to disappear up its own backside’ by rejecting Jason Taumalolo’s Origin bid, another is convinced it’s not the right move.

Jason Taumalolo wants to play for the Maroons. Picture: Alix Sweeney

State of Origin original Chris Close believes Jason Taumalolo should be permitted to play for the Maroons – but would be no certainty to make the team.

The ARL is considering changing Origin eligibility laws which would allow overseas born players to play if they have lived in Queensland or NSW since before their 13th birthday.

This would allow Taumalolo to play for Queensland and Tonga and the suggestion has triggered a massive debate on both sides of the border.

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New Maroons coach Paul Green mentored Jason Taumalolo for seven seasons.

Close said the game must be broad-thinking enough to give Taumalolo a chance. Origin cult hero Billy Moore said he would say “thanks but no thanks’’ while courageous utility back Brent Tate is wrestling with the debate and hopes the Origin net is not cast too widely.

“From where I sit, it is a very difficult situation,’’ Close said.

“Any young players playing in Australia, whether they come from New Zealand, Tonga or Queensland or NSW, they want to be involved with the pinnacle of the game, which is Origin.

“I just don’t want to see a situation where rugby league disappears up its own backside.

“If we want to foster the game and grow it internationally we have to be mindful of the fact that most of those players are coming to Australia to launch their careers and to prevent him from being involved in the pinnacle of the game is not where we want to be.

“But Jason would have to lift his game to get into that Queensland side. He would not be an automatic selection. We have forwards coming out of our ears.

“You have those Gold Coast kids, David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who has a real Queensland sort of mindset. Jai Arrow is playing really well and Christian Welch is there, too.’’

Origin cult hero Billy Moore greatly admires Taumalolo but does not feel he should be chosen.

“It was proven last year that Origin is not about having the best players – it is about having the best team,’’ Moore said.

“If you give that jersey to a young Queenslander they will take it and they will rise.

“Look at Kurt Capewell. He might not have been chosen last year and look how much he has improved since. As great as Jason is I think I would be saying thanks but no thanks.’’

Tate admits he has concerns about the move.

Legendary Maroon Chris Close believes Taumalolo would need to lift his game.

“I am wrestling with this one a bit,’’ Tate said.

“People say Jason could play for Queensland and then Tonga because it is a second tier nation, but I’m not sure Tonga is a second tier nation any more because they have risen so far so quickly.

“It’s a difficult one because we don’t want to lose what Origin is all about, but I suppose I played with (Queensland and New Zealand’s) Tonie Carroll and never thought anything of it.”

Jason Taumalolo: Why I want to play Origin

- Peter Badel

Jason Taumalolo has broken his silence expressing his desire to play State of Origin as Queensland coach Paul Green outlined his plan to unleash the Cowboys sensation in Maroon.

The ARL Commission is conducting a review of State of Origin eligibility rules with Project Apollo chairman Wayne Pearce keen for Polynesian players such as Taumalolo to be cleared to play for NSW or Queensland.

Green mentored Taumalolo for seven seasons at the Cowboys and told The Courier-Mail he spoke to the forward’s agent Chris Orr last week about the prospect of the $10 million man playing for Queensland.

And Taumalolo has appealed for ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys to clear the eligibility path that would allow players from tier-two nations such as Samoa and Tonga to also turn out in the Origin arena.

Queensland fans would be salivating at the prospect of Taumalolo – the NRL’s most destructive ball-running forward – terrorising the Blues in Maroon alongside David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Jason Taumalolo wants to play for the Maroons in State of Origin. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“I want to represent Queensland,” Taumalolo said.

“It is where I have grown up and I am proud of where I live, especially being from North Queensland. I love Tonga and that will always be my family’s heritage, but in my mind I am also a Queenslander.

“I have played for Queensland at schoolboys level so hopefully I’m allowed to play State of Origin, it would be the pinnacle to be in that arena.”

Under Pearce’s plan, players from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa would be available for selection provided they lived in NSW or Queensland before the age of 13.

The New Zealand-born Taumalolo moved to Queensland at age 13 after being signed to a scholarship by Cowboys – clearing him as a Maroon under Pearce’s proposed new eligibility rule.

Taumalolo turns 28 in May, meaning he has spent more time on Queensland soil than his New Zealand birthplace. The 2016 Dally M Medallist played 10 Tests for New Zealand before sensationally defecting to Tonga on the eve of the 2017 World Cup.

Jason Taumalolo moved to Queensland when he was 13 and played junior reps for the state. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Should the ARL Commission rubberstamp Pearce’s Origin eligibility proposal, Taumalolo could still represent Tonga while playing for Queensland.

Green won a premiership with Taumalolo at the Cowboys in 2015 and the new Queensland coach hopes the 115kg wrecking ball is given the green light to represent the Maroons, either this year or next season.

“I am interested in Jason playing for Queensland,” Green said.

“I’ve spoken to his management in the last week or so. I don’t know how it will be perceived but I don’t have an issue with Jason running out in Queensland colours.

“I suspect he would be eligible for Origin. I am looking into it a bit further because I don’t have all the answers yet, but the main question is where players lived before the age of 13 and that’s Queensland for Jason.

“Jase wanted to play for Tonga in honour of his heritage, but he has lived in Queensland longer than anywhere else in his life.

“This is definitely not a money grab (Origin players earn $90,000 for a three-game series). Jason has lived (in Australia) since he was 13, he played junior rep games for Queensland.”

Green said the sight of Taumalolo in a Queensland jumper would be a promotional smash hit for the code.

“As a player, he would be a huge coup for the Maroons,” he said.

“It would be sensational for the series, it would generate some interest.

“There’s been a stack of Polynesian guys play Origin like Daniel Tupou, James Tamou and Anthony Milford.

“It would be sensational for our young forwards like Tino and Dave Fifita to play alongside a player with the stature of Jason Taumalolo.”