Rugby league legend Scott Sattler has called for the tiered international system to be scrapped as Origin eligibility rules remain under the microscope.
12 players who featured for NSW or Queensland earlier this year played for Tonga and Samoa at the World Cup and both Pacific nations could possibly be moved up to tier one.
As it stands, players who represent a tier one nation other than Australia cannot play in Origin — and Sattler believes to develop the international game, that rule must be thrown out the window.
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“I don’t like the idea of tier one (and) tier two, I just think we should have international rugby league,” Sattler said on SEN.
“We just have to try and embrace international rugby league the best we can, I’m not a big fan of the tier system, I think everyone should be asked to play against each other at any given time on a calendar year.
“Then when it comes to State of Origin, I think when you register to play rugby league at the age of 12 you (are) asked about your Origin heritage.
“I think by that age you know who you support at Origin level, but you can still have the country of your heritage as well.”
Samoa stunned the rugby league world to reach the World Cup final and although Matt Parish’s team went down 30-10, they were valiant in defeat.
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Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Josh Papalii, Brian To’o and Joseph Suaalii were all chances of being selected for the Kangaroos squad but instead opted to represent their heritage.
Sattler urged international rugby league bosses to steer clear of a “dangerous path” which could dampen the Test arena.
“I don’t have a problem with Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Junior Paulo playing for NSW and for Samoa,” Sattler said.
“I think we are heading down a really dangerous path in the modern era if we are going to pigeonhole players in where they should and shouldn’t play.
“If we want the game to continue to go the way it looks like it’s heading, on the upward spiral, we need to make those players available for those nations.”
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The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio echoed Sattler’s opinion and highlighted Samoa’s rise and inevitable elevation to tier one status as the catalyst for change.
“I think it’s inevitable that they do make that elevation up to a tier one nation, when you consider the influence of so many New South Wales players in this Samoan team, I think we are heading down a path of an overhaul of the State of Origin eligibility rules,” Riccio said on SEN 1170.
“Not only the rise and success on the international stage but also to the influence of Pacific Origin related players that are playing in the NRL, it’s a huge percentage.
“This is going to be something I think that is bound to happen, I think there is going to be an Origin overhaul, Freddy (Brad Fittler) is saying it is almost certain to be discussed.”
