NRL round 14: Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos, Herbie Farnworth wants to play Origin
Herbie Farnworth has opened up on his goal to represent the Maroons as the ARLC investigates an Origin eligibility tweak which could make that dream a reality.
British Bronco Herbie Farnworth has expressed his interest in playing for Queensland as the ARLC explores a change to State of Origin’s eligibility rules.
Farnworth will be a key figure for the Broncos in Saturday night’s daunting road trip to face title contenders Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium – the scene of his NRL debut against the Sharks in 2019.
Five of Farnworth’s Broncos teammates featured in Origin I, with Maroons quartet Pat Carrigan, Selwyn Cobbo, Reece Walsh and Tom Flegler winning bragging rights over NSW prop Payne Haas in Queensland’s epic 26-18 win on Wednesday night.
The sight of his Broncos colleagues going hammer and tong in the code’s toughest arena has ignited the Origin fire in Farnworth, who would relish the prospect of wearing the mighty Maroons jumper.
ARLC commissioner Wayne Pearce is currently undertaking a review of Origin eligibility.
The former Blues skipper is exploring whether international players from Australia’s tier-one rivals, England and New Zealand, should also be available for Queensland or NSW selection.
Amending the rules could potentially allow the likes of Cowboys superstar Jason Taumalolo, Farnworth and his England teammate, Roosters hitman Victor Radley, to play State of Origin.
Farnworth made his Test debut for England at last year’s World Cup and is keen to test himself at State of Origin level should the rules be changed to enable him to hold dual British and Queensland eligibility.
The England-born Farnworth moved to Australia as a teenager to chase his NRL dreams with the Broncos and will chalk up a decade of residency in Queensland later this year.
“Playing State of Origin would be unreal,” said Farnworth, who came through the Queensland system with Brisbane’s feeder club Norths Devils in the Hostplus Cup.
“I have been here since I was 14 years old, so I love Queensland.
“I don’t think I could ever forget my English roots, but if they change the rules and I can play for both (England and Queensland), I would do it, but we’ll see.”
For now, Farnworth is content advancing Brisbane’s top-four push at a Cronulla venue where he cut his teeth as an NRL player.
The Broncos (9-4) and Cronulla (7-4) have an equal share of the premiership lead on 18 competition points and victory over the Sharks would edge Brisbane closer to the first finals campaign since 2019.
Farnworth, who plays his 67th NRL game on Saturday night, will wage a cracking centre duel with tackle-busting Sharks hulk Jesse Ramien.
“He is a very classy player, it will be a good battle against Ramien,” said Farnworth, who made his debut on the wing in Brisbane’s 24-22 defeat of Cronulla in Sydney in 2019.
“I remember my debut at Shark Park well, we got the win, so I will be keen to go down there and get another two points.
“I was a scrawny kid then, I’m a bit bigger now and I think (Josh) Dugan got me once with his knee, he gave me a bloody nose.
“Because it was my debut, I was probably a bit overawed at the time, but the Sharks have got great fans and it will be pretty hostile when we go down there again.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters will make a call on his Origin players over the next 24 hours, with veteran winger Corey Oates on standby to make his return from injury if Cobbo fails to back up against the Sharks.
“It will be interesting to see if Cobbo backs up, but we have some coverage there if Selwyn doesn’t play,” Farnworth said.
“It will be good to have Corey back, he has been a bit unlucky with injury this year.
“Corey is a very classy player, he trucks it up and breaks lots of tackles, so having a big extra body coming out of yardage is always good for us.”
Australia’s richest schoolkid spurns rugby union for Wests Tigers
Heamasi Makasini, a powerful 17-year-old centre, has rejected the bundles of cash offered to him by rugby union scouts to sign a massive new deal with the Wests Tigers.
Luai legacy: Star hopes brother, son build own Penrith dynasty
Jarome Luai cleaned out his locker at Penrith for the last time, but the four-time premiership winner says his name will live on at the club through his brother and son when they build their own dynasties at the foot of the mountains.