The legend of the Rugby League Andrew Johns sounded the alarm on the future of the original state, warning that if the eligibility rules do not change soon, the emblematic series could be unrecognizable in two decades.
The old half-back Blues made the daring prediction in his Fairfax chronicle, expressing a deep concern about the management that is headed. Johns thinks that the origin could be filled with second level players if the current trends continue.
“And if you have them choose between countries like Tonga and Samoa or Origin, then, with the greatest respect, you will end up with reserve reserve rows playing for NSW and Queensland in 20 years,” wrote Johns.
His comments come into increasing concerns concerning the defection of players, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the last Kangaroos star to confirm that he plans to change his allegiance to the Samoa at the end of the year.
He follows the Payne Haas and Tino fa’asuamaleaui teammates, who also weigh similar movements.
At the heart of the debate is the current international system. Under existing rules, players who choose to represent level 1 nations such as New Zealand or England become inadmissible to the original state.
Andrew Johns fears that the original state can be filled with second level players if current eligibility problems are not resolved
New South Wales, the Payne Haas application reported its intention to play for the Samoa at the end of this season
Martons Livewire Hamiso Tabui-Fidow also plans to play for the Samoa instead of Australia
However, those who choose level nations like the Samoa and Tonga can continue to play both originally and the International Rugby League.
Johns thinks that the level system is exceeded and should be completely rebuilt.
He argues that, even if the players who were in New South Wales or Queensland before high school should remain eligible at the origin, they must engage in a nation and stick to this.
“The original argument being a selection test for Australia is undermined by the nature of our game and the Polynesian influence on the rows of play,” wrote Johns.
“Given how the game takes place with 52% of players with a Pasifika heritage, they will continue to dominate.”
Johns suggests that a change of rule would take advantage of both international game and prestige of origin.
He also proposed a solution to strengthen the tracks of New Zealand players: the next LNR expansion team should be based in Christchurch to develop more Kiwi talents.
The coach of Kangaroos, Mal Meninga, echoes many concerns of Johns during an interview on Senq Breakfast, saying that the eligibility rules allow players to change nations far too easily.
The Australian coach, Mal Meninga, is concerned about playing players with so many players who pass allegiances to level two nations like the Tonga and the Samoa
“(Before agreeing to be called) know that you want to put a green and gold jersey. It must come from the heart, ”said Meninga.
“But if you have a doubt in your mind … I mean, I classify myself as a Australian-South of the Sea, but I am in the first Australian.”
Meninga clearly indicated that he supports the players in honor of their inheritance, but thinks that there must be coherence in national allegiance.
He warned that Australia will soon have to reassess the way in which eligibility for the original state is managed.
“At one point, we have to make a decision,” he said. “It does not affect the origin … But at some point, there must be a parity.
Meninga also calls on players to enclose their national allegiance when they sign their first LNR contract.
He thinks it would bring clarity and help prevent current confusion around eligibility.
The former LNR player Dean Widders added another layer to the conversation, calling for an indigenous team to participate in the Pacific championships.
A decision must be made on the question of whether players like Haas and Tabui-Fidow will remain eligible to play the original state
Speaking on national indigenous television, Widders said that native stars like Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been left without representative platform during last year’s World Cup.
“We have to find a platform so that our players can play at the highest level,” said Widders. “I continue to push the wheelbarrow of the Pacific Cup.
The proposal, however, faced a resistance on the fears that he could create a division in the game.
Meninga warned that the introduction of such a concept could lead to an Australian team that is “white”.
“I think it would be (would turn white only),” Meninga told Fox Sports. “For me, there is no reason why we can not celebrate our history and our inheritance.”
He insisted that First Nations players already have the opportunity to excel at the highest level, and he continues to select players like Mitchell, Addo-Carr and Tabuai-Fidow with pride.
“We have an eternal respect for First Nations people in representative teams,” said Meninga.
Despite the debate, Meninga maintains that there is no bias in the selection of teams. “And if a First Nations person by Heritage is good enough to be chosen from the Australia team, we do,” he said.
