Warriors Prop Addin Fonua-Blake talks about his move to the Warriors. Video / Supplied
New Zealand Rugby League boss Greg Peters supports the idea of Kiwis being involved in State of Origin, saying it would be "a massive opportunity" for those players.
The Origin eligibility debate has reignited in recent weeks, in the midst of a review into availability requirements for the annual extravaganza.
Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo put the discussion in the spotlight, confirming he would love the chance to represent Queensland.
Auckland-born Taumalolo, who moved across the Tasman when he was 13, would fulfil the residency criteria but can't be picked under current international rules, which don't allow players to represent two top-tier nations - Australia, New Zealand and England.
All Origin participants must be available to play for the Kangaroos, which excludes Taumalolo, who turned out for the Kiwis in 10 tests between 2014-2017 before his dramatic switch to Tonga.
Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake also expressed his Origin desire, saying he would "love the opportunity". Photo / Photosport
Last week, marquee Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake also expressed his Origin desire, saying he would "love the opportunity".
The Tongan front-rower grew up in Sydney, but doesn't qualify for Origin selection, after wearing the Kiwis jersey at the 2017 World Cup.
The Australian Rugby League Commission is considering changes for 2022 and beyond, essentially allowing players to chase the fame and fortune that Origin offers, without compromising their desire to represent their country of birth or heritage.
It's a controversial initiative, as the Origin series has been built on a fierce interstate rivalry and always doubled as a Kangaroos trial.
Under the proposed criteria current Kiwis like Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes and Briton Nikora could be eligible for Origin.
The thought of such players wearing the famed maroon or blue jerseys, then turning out for the Kiwis, would have been inconceivable just a few years ago, but Peters suggests it could be a positive change.
Under the proposed criteria Kiwis like Jahrome Hughes, Briton Nikora and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak could be eligible to play State of Origin. Photos / Getty Images
"For players of New Zealand ethnicity who have made Australia their home and qualify in another way, potentially allowing them to be available [for Origin], it's worth having that discussion," Peters told the Herald.
"If you've grown up over there and you've qualified [for Origin] because of the criteria in terms of residency and all of that, but you [also] want to pay for the Kiwis - well, why not?
"It would be another opportunity that our players currently don't have. It's a massive opportunity for Australian players and some Pacific Island boys at the moment to be part of one of the premier competitions in the world."
Peters also sees high performance benefits.
"At the moment you are going from club land to internationals against Australia, that's a big step," said Peters. "We don't have anything in between that."
Peters dismisses fears that being in the Origin system might push New Zealand eligible players towards the Kangaroos.
"We could say the same about Samoa and Tonga turning the heads of Kiwis," said Peters.
"We will always have players that choose another allegiance and we respect that. Our job is to create the environment where they want to wear the black and white jersey."
Peters adds that administrators need to be cognisant of the shifting tides of eligibility in league, as the cultural make-up of the sport evolves.
According to a recent NRL.com report, 71 per cent of NRL players were either both outside Australia or have parents or grandparents who were, including 52 per cent who have Pacific heritage.
There's also a large population of expatriate Kiwis, who have moved across the Tasman for economic or sporting opportunities, or both.
"A number will have different allegiances even if they've got a Kiwi passport," said Peters.
"If the parents have been in Australia for 30 years you still might think of yourself as a Kiwi underneath it all, but [also] have strong Australian allegiances."
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters. Photo / Photosport
Origin has become the El Dorado of league, with remuneration of more than A$30,000 a match, at least three times more than test match payments.
That was surely a factor in the case of James Tamou, who was born in Palmerston North and had represented the Junior Kiwis and New Zealand Māori , as well as being part of the wider Kiwis squad in 2011, before suddenly opting to represent Australia in 2012, with the lure of NSW selection.
Ahead of his Kiwis debut in 2014 Taumalolo turned down strong advances from Queensland, with former Cowboys teammate Johnathan Thurston one of many ambassadors for the Maroons.
In 2009, Kieran Foran was being earmarked as a future NSW option, after strong form for Manly as a teenager, but scotched that talk after opting to represent his country of birth.
