NSW coach Brad Fittler has approved a change to the current system of international eligibility, which would allow Kiwi or English players to play State of Origin.
Currently, the rules allow anyone who meets the criteria to live in any of the states before the age of 13 to play, and also represent an international team, as long as it is not England or New Zealand.
But following Victor Radley’s decision to represent England, Fittler said any of the other “level 1” nations should also be able to play Origin, as long as they meet the age criteria.
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Fittler said the teen system’s look at the current system was “fantastic.”
“If you go to high school here, it means you’ve been nurtured in NSW or Queensland and you can play Origin,” Fittler told Freddy and the Eighth of Wide World of Sports.
“The state of origin must not change, you just have to get rid of the classification system in international football.
Sydney Roosters striker Victor Radley. (Getty)
“You imagine October, with virtually no sport. You have a competition from Pacific nations, Australia, the islands, New Zealand, England or France, every two years.
“Can you imagine this competition? That would be fantastic, it would be brilliant. Taking it to different towns, the country, would be unreal.”
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Andrew Johns was also in favor of the change, saying the sport needed to be adapted to recognize the diverse line-up of most of its player base.
“The Pacific Islands are now about 50 percent of the NRL,” Johns said.
“The next generation will be between 50 and 60 years old, probably up to 60 percent, so a lot of these players will want to play. [for] Tonga, Samoa, Fiji … should be allowed. “
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