'Need to keep up': Phil Gould wants to see 'open slather' Origin eligibility. Here's how it could look
He's among the most famous figures in State of Origin history and Phil Gould believes the time has come for rules to "keep up" with the international game.
Fresh off an admission from Payne Haas that he is weighing up switching allegiances to play for Samoa, the discussion regarding eligibility has been re-opened.
It comes just weeks after rumours swirled that Kalyn Ponga was considering pledging his allegiance to New Zealand, despite already playing for the Maroons.
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Kalyn Ponga in action for the Maori All Stars. Getty
At the moment, the rules state that players can not play Origin and also represent a tier one nation other than Australia on the international stage.
The only other nations that impacts are New Zealand and England, which has ruled out a number of big-name stars who could have played for NSW or Queensland from doing so.
Players who represent tier-two nations other than the Kangaroos, but were either born in or moved to NSW or Queensland before their 13th birthday, can play Origin.
In recent years, countries such as Samoa and Tonga have improved dramatically on the field and have defeated tier-one teams, but still remain as tier-two nations.
Confused yet?
That's why, according to Gould, it might be time for the game's administrators to amend that rule and allow all players who fall under the strict Origin criteria to don the blue or maroon jersey, regardless of which country they play Test match football for.
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Phil Gould. Nine
"Why shouldn't they be allowed to do that? Why wouldn't the game encourage that? I've said this many times - we need to sell our game as an international game," the former NSW coach said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.
"You know which country you should be playing for when they play the national anthem - it's the one that moves you and that's the country you should be playing for.
"Our qualifications domestically need to keep up with that and the world of rugby league can't be dominated by qualification for Origin. If you qualify for Origin football, you should be allowed to play Origin football - regardless of your heritage or your history.
"As long as you meet the criteria or qualifications to play Origin football, you should be allowed to play for NSW or Queensland. On the international stage, you should be able to play for whoever you like ... but you can't be jumping from one country to another.
"Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui can choose to play for Samoa because they're not tier one countries. They have got to get away from this and just make it open slather.
Payne Haas of the Broncos warms up during the round two NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium, on March 15, 2025, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images) Getty
"On the international stage, you should be able to play for the country of choice where you qualify. If you qualify domestically for Origin football, you can play."
One of the Blues' all-time greats Brad Fittler, who coached at Origin level for six series, echoed the sentiments of his former mentor.
"It's the conversation that needs to come up," he said on Nine's Freddy and The Eighth.
"We need to get to the bottom of the eligibility and the tiering. Origin doesn't change, the conversation to Origin doesn't ever change."
A change of such magnitude would of course need fine-tuning, but the chance to give Origin and international another shot in the arm would be enormous.
If anything, it would be a win-win for both formats.
Ponga potentially playing for both the Maroons and Kiwis, representing different parts of his family, should be encouraged as Gould says.
It would also stop the same complaints every year when Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton represent Samoa and NSW due to a technicality.
The opportunities for fresh faces on the Origin stage would also be endless.
Addin Fonua-Blake, who was born and raised in Sydney and played his junior footy with the Mascot Jets, isn't currently allowed to represent the Blues.
Addin Fonua-Blake celebrates after Tonga's win over the Kiwis last year. Getty
Why? Because he played one game for New Zealand in 2017 before switching to Tonga.
If the front-rower instead opted to play for Tonga from the outset, he would have been a certain starter for NSW over many years, such is his standing in the sport.
Up north, it's the same type of situation with Jason Taumalolo, who is eligible to play for Queensland but after starting his international career playing for the Kiwis before joining a growing group of players to represent Tonga, he's never played at Origin level.
Victor Radley is another example of a player who would benefit from a rule change.
After narrowly missing out multiple times on Origin selection, but still remaining on the cusp of a debut, the Roosters star pledged his allegiance to England in 2023, which has now ruled him out of ever playing for NSW.
Victor Radley in action for England last year. Getty
Radley is born and raised in Sydney, playing his junior footy for the Clovelly Crocodiles.
He would absolutely bleed blue if given the opportunity to represent his state, but is unable to do so - again, due to a technicality in the rulebook.
Panthers star Scott Sorensen has played for New Zealand, but grew up in the Shire.
You would think at some stage during Penrith's four-straight titles, the back-rower would have come under consideration for NSW selectors if not for his Kiwi ties.
"The tiering has to go if you're in Australia before the age of 13," Andrew Johns said.
"Someone like Kalyn Ponga, the rumour is he wants to play for the Kiwis. He's born here, he can play for New Zealand and he can play for Queensland. Victor Radley wanted to play for England because of his dad, but he's born in Bronte and he can play."
Then there's the other side, where players who could have represented New Zealand, but instead made themselves available for Australia to ensure they could play Origin.
Josh Papali'i was born in Auckland, but played 23 games for the Maroons and 11 Tests in the green and gold jumper in a fine representative career.
Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Moeaki Fotuaika are all in that same boat, having opted out of playing for New Zealand and all debuting for Queensland in recent years.
State of Origin is the pinnacle of the domestic game - but should it really have such a large impact on who these superstars represent on the international stage?
If arguably the greatest coach in Origin history is on board with a change, there's no reason why those at head office shouldn't join him.
