Former NRL star Nigel Vagana urges Pacific Island players to put Test pride before cash

NIGEL Vagana fears all international footy sides are set to be killed off unless Test jerseys are made more "valuable" to Polynesian players.

Sam Kasiano

NIGEL Vagana fears all international footy sides - including his beloved New Zealand Kiwis - are set to be killed off unless Test jerseys are made more "valuable" to Polynesian players.

Among the most respected voices in the game, Vagana fears increasing State of Origin payments to $50,000 a series will see young Pacific Islanders turn their backs on countries like New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga to earn more money for their families.

His call comes as 133kg Bulldogs prop Sam Kasiano, who has received interest from Queensland coach Mal Meninga, is now considering the same Origin leap as fellow New Zealander James Tamou.

With a push to more than double Origin payments from $20,000, there are fears Kasiano, who is nominated as a Kiwi, will throw himself into the Origin cauldron against Tamou, who was born in Palmerston North, represented NZ Maori and recently described his international debut for Australia as a sound business decision.

"Talking about Test jerseys and business in the same sentence, it's really a concern," Vagana said.

"Right now, footballers who make themselves eligible for Australia can earn around $20,000 extra a year playing Origin footy. And there's talk of that rising to $50,000.

"But if they stick with New Zealand, it's nothing. Zero. So while Origin footy is supposed to be all about passion, for a lot of (Polynesian) players it's being seen as a sound business decision, a way to better provide for their families. It threatens the future of international footy.

"Which is why Vagana, who played 38 Tests for New Zealand and has also represented Samoa, wants to table ideas like a New Zealand Origin concept, the establishment of a Polynesian All Stars team, even turning the ferocious Samoa-Tonga battles into a showpiece event on the international calendar.

"Even if we can't match what the Aussies get for Origin, we have to close the gap," he said. "Because, yes, there was a time when guys like Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones, they would've represented the Kiwis for free.

"But with NRL clubs now bringing our kids to Australia younger, those old eligibility lines are blurring. Kids can represent both countries ... and one is paying far more than the other."

Vagana is also pushing for the establishment of a two-tier structure that would allow Test players from Australia, New Zealand and England (all Tier One nations) to represent emerging countries if not selected for their first choice.

Manly's Kieran Foran said he could understand the lure of Origin.

"I can see that it would be tempting for these kids coming through ... if the payments are high like that for Origin and not as high for Test footy they've got to be tempted," he said.

Follow @Telegraph_Sport on Twitter and like Telegraph Sport on Facebook