Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
📻 How to tune into Sport Nation
Fonua-Blake, Ponga to benefit from big Origin change
Scott Bailey, AAP •  February 16th, 2026 5:49 pm
Kalyn Ponga, Victor Radley and Addin Fonua-Blake will benefit after new State of Origin rule changes | Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP
Kalyn Ponga can switch to New Zealand without losing his Queensland jersey and Addin Fonua-Blake is now available for NSW as part of sweeping new State of Origin eligibility rules.
In what looms as the biggest change to the Origin arena in the rivalry's 45-year history, it will no longer matter what country a player represents in international football.
Instead, the only eligibility criteria will be whether a player was born in NSW or Queensland, resided there before age 13 or had parent play for the state.
In effect, it means those who play for tier-one nations New Zealand or England can now feature in Origin if eligible, in the same way Samoan and Tongan stars already do.
"Rugby league has changed, the international game has grown and our rules need to reflect that," ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said.
"If a player is eligible to play State of Origin, it makes no sense to exclude them simply because they've represented New Zealand or England at Test level.
"State of Origin is about where you're from and what state you're eligible for — not which country you represent internationally."
The Blues' Origin team could look very different in coming years after a tweak to playing rules | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
The new rule has the potential to create widespread change at both Origin and international level.
New Zealand stand as the country most likely to benefit, after players with Kiwi heritage had in the past had to give up playing in Origin to represent the country.
Ponga confirmed to AAP last week he was open to switching allegiances to playing for New Zealand, having only ever previously represented Australia in Nines World Cup.
He can now do so without giving up his Queensland jersey.
Isaiya Katoa is among a group of players, who could switch to playing for New Zealand | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The likes of Isaiya Katoa could also now opt to switch from playing for Tonga to New Zealand, without throwing away his chances of playing for NSW.
Jarome Luai is another who could make a similar change from Samoa to the Kiwis, but that appears unlikely.
Penrith youngster Casey McLean is also eligible to play for NSW after debuting for the Kiwis in 2024, as is Victor Radley following his nine Tests for England.
The rule changes will see Addin Fonua-Blake become available for NSW selection | Photo: Ross Setford/AAP
More seismic could be the fact Fonua-Blake is now eligible for NSW after his one Test for New Zealand in 2017, meaning he could partner Payne Haas in a fearsome front row this year.
Gold Coast five-eighth AJ Brimson can also now play for Queensland again, after the former Maroon gave up the chance of any more Origins when he opted to debut for England last year.
"It's pretty crazy news," Brimson said.
"I thought it could possibly happen one day, but definitely not this soon.
"I was going to watch Origin and be gutted watching it not being eligible to be picked. But I loved putting on the England jersey as well.
"It was something I didn't regret ... But I obviously love Queensland want to play again if chosen."
In the women's game, Queensland forwards Shannon Mato and Brisbane hooker Destiny Brill can also both play for New Zealand.
The changes come as the NRL also confirmed an Origin match will be played in Auckland in 2027 at the 50,000-seat Eden Park.
