A lack of competitiveness at an international level has held the sport of rugby league back for decades. Now is the time to resolve eligibility once and for all.
What would another year in rugby league be without an eligibility debate to polarise opinion? Brian To’o lit the fuse this time around as he pledged his allegiance to Samoa for the World Cup at year’s end despite representing New South Wales in State of Origin this season.
Under current eligibility rules players may represent New South Wales or Queensland in State of Origin, yet choose to play for another country besides Australia as long as they are a Tier 2 nation – so essentially anyone other than New Zealand and England. To’o’s commitment to Samoa completely falls within current guidelines so it begs the question; what is the big issue?
Decisions like his ensure the health of rugby league’s greatest spectacle and help develop the international game in the process. Why don’t the decision-makers take it one step further and scrap this rule altogether? If someone born in Australia feels a strong spiritual connection to a second heritage nation, while possessing dual-eligibility through birthright or ancestry, it should be their right to represent them whilst also being available for their home state, New South Wales or Queensland.
The classic calls from those too ignorant to see the bigger picture is ‘make them choose’, but that’s not a reasonable outcome either. Match payments enter the conversation, with Origin currently being the far more lucrative alternative. But money aside, why can’t players have state and national pride in Australia, while also sharing a deep connection with a second heritage culture… something they wish to honour through their chosen craft?
And cries of fear that it will weaken the Australian side are incredibly insular and selfish considering Australia has dominated for the best part of five decades to the absolute detriment of the international game. They will always remain a powerhouse so long as the National Rugby League remains the premier domestic competition, and we ought to remember that this position of power has been achieved with the assistance of the supremely talented Pacific Island athletes who have contributed to the entertaining product it boasts.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is time to reward these countries and their large communities within Australia by sharing the talent pool on the world stage and allowing them the opportunity to grow. This evolution will inspire the next generation to choose rugby league over rival codes in their homelands to guarantee an increasing influx of talent for decades to come. It’s an investment to stop a leakage of home grown talent. But the international circuit needs to be competitive.
Rugby league desperately needs this at the highest level to truly become a world game and compete in the global market. Gestures such as To’o’s should be applauded and not deplored to the extent where he felt it necessary to apologise for his actions. He chose what is right for him, his people, and the growth of rugby league.
