Kalyn Ponga played for the Māori All-Stars earlier this year. Photo / AAP Dan Himbrechts
If Payne Haas had to give up State of Origin, would he still be playing for Samoa?
Haas, who will be a formidable obstacle for the Kiwis in Sunday’s Pacific Championships final (6pm), is at the centre of one of rugby league’s enduring questions, in the ongoing eligibility debate.
Haas is regarded as the best prop in the sport and is certainly the highest-paid front-rower, on a massive contract at the Brisbane Broncos. His switch to Samoa from the Kangaroos in August – to represent his mother’s side of the family – attracted huge headlines, and has continued the momentum for the Pacific Island nation, which reached the 2022 World Cup final.
But Haas, like fellow Samoan stars Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai, can still feature in the interstate series, under the NRL’s current rules.
That makes their decision to represent their heritage considerably easier, given the gravitas that comes with Origin. Aside from the prestige and personal brand opportunities that come with playing for New South Wales or Queensland, players receive A$30,000 ($34,443) per match to feature in the extravaganza. International payments – whether for Australia, the Kiwis, Tonga or Samoa – are capped at A$3000 per test.
It’s an awkward situation that feels almost discriminatory, as the Origin door is shut for players of New Zealand heritage who also want to represent the Kiwis. The best current example is Kalyn Ponga, whose parents are both from New Zealand. He has already represented New Zealand Māori in the All Stars match, and the Herald has been told by multiple sources that he wants to play for the Kiwis. However, to do that, the 27-year-old would have to shelve any Maroons ambitions for the rest of his career.
It’s understood to be a similar scenario with gun Canberra fullback Kaeo Weekes. His mother and extended family are from New Zealand, and he is even named after the small Northland town where she grew up. But Weekes – who was raised in Sydney – wants to play for NSW. There are other players and will be more in the future, given the current migration patterns and the fact that around 45% of NRL players are of Māori or Polynesian descent.
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters says current Origin eligibility rules need to be re-examined.
“There’s only two choices, all in or all out,” Peters told the Herald. “So if you otherwise satisfy Origin eligibility because you’re in Australia under the age of 13 and at school in one of those states, then you should be eligible. And if you’re not, then it should be all out, so only people who have pleaded their loyalty to Australia play, which is not the desirable outcome.
“At the moment, New Zealand are the most disadvantaged country in this because our players can’t play in Origin, whereas Samoa and Tongan players can. It certainly doesn’t seem fair. I’m not saying that every Kiwi should be available for Origin, but if you are eligible and you also qualify for New Zealand, why can’t you play for the Kiwis too?”
Although Peters refused to label it a double standard, it certainly seems like one. It’s not a new situation. Palmerston North-born James Tamou caused controversy more than a decade ago, when he switched to the Kangaroos – out of a desire to play State of Origin – despite being included in earlier Kiwis squads and playing for New Zealand Māori.
However, the NRL seems to be seriously considering an amendment to the rules.
“It is something we’re going to have to look at again, and to me there does seem to be a stronger push this time for change,” Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald in July this year.
“It is a strong argument that if you’ve played your footy in Australia before the age of 13 and you are eligible to play Origin, why shouldn’t you be able to?
“If we were to change the rules, it would only be for New Zealand and English players.
“They’re the tier-one countries impacted. [Players from] tier-two nations like Samoa and Tonga can still play State of Origin and represent those nations.”
Peters is hopeful a decision will be made before the start of next season to offer clarity before the 2026 League World Cup.
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.