State of Origin: Australian fans react as eligibility law change opens door for Kiwis to play

News of State of Origin’s drastic eligibility laws have not gone down well across the ditch, with fears rugby league’s pinnacle will lose its identity.

On Monday, as well as the NRL confirming one State of Origin game will be held at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2027, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ALRC) announced a relaxation of the previously strict eligibility criteria.

In the past, selection for one of New South Wales or Queensland was restricted to players whose first club was in either of the two states, provided they lived there before their 13th birthday.

However, while that left those born in New Zealand unable to turn out for a state and the Kiwis, regardless of whether they’d lived in Australia or not, players representing a “tier two” nation were exempt.

It meant players could represent New South Wales or Queensland, as well as Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, while New Zealand and England missed out.

The tier system is dictated by rugby league development pathways in each country, rather than a nation’s abilities on the field. That effectively gave the Pacific sides an advantage over the Kiwis as players had the ability to play State of Origin and tests.

While the rule of living in Australia before your 13th birthday remains in place, the regulations have opened up to allow the likes of Queensland’s Kalyn Ponga to represent New Zealand as well.

Despite being hailed as a game-changer for the test game, Australian fans on social media have not taken kindly to the traditional State of Origin rivalry being diluted.

“If there are no Queenslanders in the Queensland team, then I’m not going to watch it,” one user wrote on X.

“This will ruin the spirit of the game and hence the series all together. [State of Origin] will be defunct in 20 years,” wrote another.

“Origin was created as a selection trial for the AUSTRALIAN team. Change the name, no longer Origin. Call it All Stars,” one user wrote on Facebook.

“If we have all these countries playing Origin how do you pick the Australian team,” said another.

“Origin used to be about pride. Dunno what to call it now. Wherever you originate you’re welcome,” wrote another.

Meanwhile, the ARLC welcomed the new criteria. In a year where Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will co-host the Rugby League World Cup, the loosening of laws will allow the best players to remain available for their nations, and keep State of Origin as the pinnacle of the game.

“Rugby league has changed, the international game has grown and our rules need to reflect that,” chairman Peter V’landys said.

“The change reflects the strength of the international game and the significant growth of rugby league, particularly across the Pacific.

“If a player is eligible to play State of Origin, it makes no sense to exclude them simply because they’ve represented New Zealand or England at test level.”