State of Origin: Jason Taumalolo’s bid to play for Queensland denied

Having lived in Queensland since he was 13, Jason Taumalolo was hoping to be declared eligible to play for the Maroons.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys during the NRL Trial Match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at Moreton Daily Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The NRL has killed Jason Taumalolo’s bid to play for Queensland after CEO Andrew Abdo declared State of Origin’s eligibility rules would not be changed in 2021.

New Maroons coach Paul Green was hoping to have Tongan tearaway Taumalolo available for Queensland in this year’s Origin series.

But that will not be the case, with the NRL ruling out changes to Origin’s hotly-debated eligibility laws.

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Born in New Zealand, Taumalolo has played Test football for his native country and Tonga but doesn’t meet the current eligibility requirements to feature in State of Origin.

Having lived in Queensland since he was 13, Taumalolo was hoping changes would be made to the laws which would allow him to play for the Maroons.

Jason Taumalolo had hoped to play for Queensland. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But Abdo said that would not be happening and North Queensland’s Dally M Medal champion would not be pulling on a Maroons jersey in 2021.

“There is certainly no proposal to change the eligibility in the short-term or long-term for that matter,” he said at a Magic Round event in Brisbane.

“Everything will be considered over time, but at this stage no.

“I won’t talk about specific players around Origin eligibility but I would like to clarify something. The commission is not looking at changing the eligibility for Origin.

“What we are looking at is standardising and harmonising the calendar so that players who do quality to play for NSW or Queensland don’t have to choose between that and representing their country in mid-season Tests.

“This is not about changing the definition of who qualifies for Origin. This is about making sure those who do qualify and want to play Origin don’t have to choose. If we can have a dedicated international window at the back end of the season, that’s good for everyone.”

The focus on creating a dedicated international window will help players like Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs play for NSW and Tonga.

Unlike Taumalolo, Staggs meets the eligibility requirements to play for his state and country of heritage.