Last year around State of Origin time I saw a Facebook group and in a way it summed up the farce that is Rugby League Eligibilty. It read "Define dickhead; Born and bred in New South Wales and I support Queensland". If you think back to the whole Greg Inglis debacle it hits the nail on the head. The current State of Origin rule is you first senior game is the state you are eligible for. Inglis played his first senior match for Hunter Sports High School in Newcastle, New South Wales. Same thing for Israel Folau, funnily enough he went to school Westsfields Sports High School in Sydneys west. Both players move a year later and make it in the Queensland system and suddenly they are claimed by Queenslander. Its not the first time its happened and not the last.
Fast forward to 2012 and we have a similar situation with James Tamou defecting to Australia only 6 months after being in the New Zealand train on squad. Fellow Kiwi's have labelled it bizarre and can't understand it. He is eligible to play for both nations but surely there must be a rule in place to say the first team that you make it for a train on squad or academy etc then thats where your allegiance lies.
Under 20's State of Origin played for the first time this weekend is also a joke. Korbin Sims, younger brother of Tariq (who's allegiance is NSW) was originally picked for Queensland before injury. The rule with this concept that this game has no bearing on what state you are eligible for in the future if you are good enough to make it at senior level. Korbin could well find himself playing for the Blues after being selected for the Maroons as a 20 year old. Can anyone else not see the problem here!
The Commission needs to come together and rule in black and white what the rules are. They seem to be different every year and cater for every situation.
Nathan Fien having a dig at James Tamou was absolutely laughable. In 2001 the Queensland halfback was Nathan Fien. In 2005, the New Zealand Halfback was Nathan Fien. Talk about throwing stones from a glass house.
Brad Thorn came from New Zealand to play for Brisbane. Queensland claim him somehow as do Australia and he plays for both. He switches back to play Union and becomes a folk hero wearing the All Blacks jersey. Tony Carroll played for New Zealand before he somehow is allowed to play for Queensland and Australia.
Steve Rogers was always thought to be a Queenslander but played for NSW, his son Mat playing for the Maroons.
Peter Stirling born in Toowoomba. Billy Moore, Famous for the 'Queenslander' chant was born in Tenterfield. Sam Thaiday was born in Sydney. These are just a few players born outside the state they went on to play for. Where is the rule in black and white.
The word origin means 'the beginnings of someones existence'. Does that not ring alarm bells for the suits and ties who run the game.
For too long the inmates have run the Asylum. Its time it has to me made clear so these incidents don't happen in the future.
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