Kiwis call for change to Origin eligibility criteria

SAM Kasiano pledged his loyalty to New Zealand twice this year - and these are the twin documents that prove it.

SAM Kasiano pledged his loyalty to New Zealand twice this year - and these are the twin documents that prove it.

Prior to April's Anzac Test, Kasiano signed an NZRL letter of intent after being selected in an extended Kiwis squad.

Then in late May he declared New Zealand as his "Country of Election" on a three-year contract extension with the Bulldogs.

Although his signature confirms both decrees, neither is worth the paper it's written on.

Under the game's convoluted and bewildering eligibility rules, the Auckland-born behemoth is not bound to his word until he pulls on a Kiwi jersey.Having missed the cut for this year's first Trans-Tasman fixture, that opportunity won't come again until October's end-of-season Test in Townsville.

NRL Talkback: Should Kasiano be forced to honour his earlier pledges to the Kiwis?

Which leaves Queensland - and consequently Australia - with one last opportunity to poach Kasiano by selecting him for Origin III in a week's time.Sources close to Kasiano last night said he would most likely accept a Maroons jersey, despite the fact his new Bulldogs contract is devoid of Origin bonuses.

Yet two months ago he wanted to play alongside Benji Marshall and do the haka.

As a result of the latest selection fiasco, New Zealand Rugby League bosses last night called on the NRL to overhaul the criteria and throw the Origin series open to Kiwis.

"If NSW and QLD are that desperate to win they should change the rules," Kiwis CEO Jim Doyle said. "Let our guys play in Origin but play for their country at the same time.

"Benji Marshall could play for Queensland because he went to Keebra Park State High in Queensland. Kieran Foran could play for NSW because he went to school in Sydney."It would also be a wonderful thing for international rugby league if Akuila Uate could play for NSW but also his home country of Fiji."

With Origin player payments set to rise to $50,000 a game when the new television deal is finalised, it's feared more Kiwi players will reject their Test jersey for the cash.

The Kasiano controversy is the latest Origin selection farce that threatens the future of international rugby league.

Earlier this year James Tamou did the same thing by turning his back on the Kiwis to play for Australia and NSW.

The new eligibility criteria Kasiano filled out in his new Bulldogs contract was devised in March to clean up the mess.

But the architect - NRL cap auditor Ian Schubert - inserted much of the new criteria to avoid a repeat of the Greg Inglis fiasco.

By leaving the door open for dual-eligible players such as Kasiano to backflip on international elections, a much more pressing dilemma has been left unaddressed.

Doyle will raise the issue at the next international board meeting, declaring: "The document Sam signed is not legally binding but it's all become very frustrating."

Maroons coach Mal Meninga recently approached Kasiano, who has been earmarked to replace Dave Taylor after his shocker in Origin II.

But Queensland legend Gorden Tallis last night said Kasiano should not be considered until he expressed a desire to play for Queensland.

"If they've got to be asked to wear the jersey, then I don't think they're right for the job," Tallis told Fox Sports.

"I would rather see him put his hand up."

Doyle added: "It's only two players (Tamou and Kasiano) but it could easily grow.

"A player like Josh Hoffman is another who could play for Queensland and the Kiwis.

"It would be a huge attraction for Sonny Bill Williams to come back to the game as well, knowing he could play in Origin and still play for his country."

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