State of Origin eligibility question that has split rugby league’s playing ranks

State of Origin eligibility has become the game’s hottest topic with many wondering why some players can play for the Blues and their country of choice while others, such as Victor Radley, can’t.

NRL players are split over the future of State of Origin and the antiquated selection criteria for the game’s showpiece event.

Senior News Corp journalists Buzz Rothfield and Andrew Webster have revealed in the latest edition of their Off The Record podcast that more than 500 players voted in a recent RLPA poll on the issue of Origin eligibility that has divided the game.

The players were asked: Do you believe players who are eligible for both State of Origin and for Tier 1 nations England and New Zealand should be able to represent in both?

The result was 51 per cent yes, 49 percent no.

The selection debate has become the game’s hottest topic it was revealed a month ago that Kiwi coach Stacey Jones was to approach Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga to play for New Zealand.

Under current rules he has to quit the Queensland Origin team to play for the Kiwis.

Victor Radley is ineligible to play for NSW due to his commitment to the England rugby league team. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Ponga was born in Australia, played all his junior football in Queensland but has a passion for the Māori culture through his father’s bloodlines.

Senior journalist Peter Badel also revealed last November that the game’s No1 front-rower – Broncos prop Payne Haas – was seriously considering playing for Samoa ahead of the Kangaroos.

Rothfield said on the podcast: “The qualification rules are farcical.

“We have an outrageous situation where Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Haumole Olakau’atu and Payne Haas can play both Origin and for their Pacific nation.

“Others like Victor Radley, a Clovelly Crocodile from a six-year-old, can’t. The rules are rubbish.

“These rules were made in 1980 when there were about five Pacifica players in the comp.

“The game’s premium product should have the game’s best talent playing in it.”

Webster chimed in: “There are three areas of the game Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo need to fix. “One, getting rid of the dirtbag player managers in the game. Two, the contracting system and three, the eligibility rules around Origin.

Payne Haas and Stephen Crichton can both play for the Blues and their country of choice. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“The problem I have is players changing countries like Payne Haas from Australia to Samoa.”

RLPA boss Clint Newton says it’s an issue the game’s top administrators should have on the agenda.

“We’re always willing to work with the NRL and all relevant stakeholders to review State of Origin eligibility rules to ensure they are effective, innovative and meet the needs of our state bodies, the NRL and the players,” he said.

“Players will always want the opportunity to compete in the biggest matches against the finest talent,” Newton said, “However, we must ensure that any decisions made don’t come at the detriment to representative rugby league both domestically or internationally.”

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