Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga [Source: FoxsportsAU]

The NRL will consider reviewing the State of Origin’s contentious selection criteria to permit English and New Zealand players to represent New South Wales or Queensland.

Speaking to News Corp this week, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the NRL would consider scrapping the international Tier 1 rule, allowing players to participate in the sport’s marquee series if they played junior football in Australia before the age of 13, regardless of which country they represent.

It comes after Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga expressed interest in representing New Zealand courtesy of his Maori heritage along with Queensland in State of Origin, while Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson is eyeing up an international switch to England.

Depending on how the selection criteria is adjusted, some players could be forced to choose between their ancestral nation or competing in the State of Origin series.

“I’ve said it wasn’t on the agenda right now, but we can certainly have a look at it at the end of the year as part of our annual review,” V’landys said.

“I understand there has been a lot of debate around the issue.

“It’s polarising because some people are saying to me, ‘It’s not broken, so don’t touch it.’

“Others are saying, and making good points, about how we can make it better for both Origin and international rugby league.

“People have got solid arguments from both sides, so we will look at it.

“We want to get the best outcome for the game, the players, the stakeholders and the fans.”

Speaking on Fox League, former Queensland representative Cooper Cronk argued that Tonga and Samoa should no longer be considered Tier 2 nations, also warning the State of Origin’s DNA needs to be respected.

“This isn’t a romantic or a commercial decision,” Cronk said.

“Our game is built of rivalry, it’s built on care factor, so you need to find out what team you care for the most, and we can’t tell people what they should play for.

“My personal view is if you play for Queensland or New South Wales, your next step is to play for Australia.

“Form a committee, do some work, find out what it looks like and map it out. Do some forecasting.

“We’ve got to keep Origin as great as it is, but we also need to lift up the international game, because it’s an opportunity that hasn’t been cultivated enough.

“Respect the past. This needs a lot of work, not just a romantic or commercial decision made overnight.”

Immortal Mal Meninga continued: “We’ve got to start to consider what is the integrity of the international program, but also what is the integrity of the State of Origin.

“If I’m forecasting what will happen in ten years’ time, the Pacific nations could be so strong that we may struggle to get an Australian team out of Origin if they continue that on.

“We’ll be picking Australian teams out of the NRL rather than Origin.”

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