New Zealand gun Ronaldo Mulitalo has weighed in on the Origin eligibility debate following widespread calls for a huge overhaul of the current system.
As it stands, players are unable to represent either Queensland or NSW after playing for “another tier-one nation at senior level”.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys confirmed commissioner Wayne Pearce will be reviewing the current eligibility system and the former representative gun said he believes the “Origin concept has evolved”.
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Mulitalo himself was at the centre of a eligibility debacle in 2021 after he was called in for Game II to replace the injured Reece Walsh, only to be told he couldn’t play 12 hours later.
The current rules state a player must be born in their state, have resided in their state before turning 13 or have a father who played Origin and the 23-year-old didn’t fit the bill.
Meanwhile, Samoan stars Brian To’o and Jarome Luai among others were able to represent both their state and country — and Mulitalo backed them to continue wearing both jerseys.
“I think for myself I have moved away from it a bit, I am happy for those boys to be able to do that if it helps them in whatever capacity,” Mulitalo said to Foxsports.com.au.
“As long as they are happy with their decision, and obviously the NRL and governing body decide the eligibility rules.
“But if it is there and it’s available for them, then why not, it is a good pathway for them and for what those boys did for our small country Samoa, it’s awesome.
“It was nice to see and see the support from everyone around the world.
“Obviously my journey with the Kiwis, it was a bit different, some people wanted me there, some people didn’t, but I am just really happy to be where I am at at the moment and I’m not one to judge people where they lie in their career.”
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The gun winger also could have played for Samoa, who made a stunning charge into the World Cup final late last year.
Mulitalo believes players like Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who moved to Australia from New Zealand before he was 10, could cut it in the Origin arena.
However, he explained that Kiwi players have made a big sacrifice, and representing their country “means more than just a jersey”.
“It is just going to be an argument, some people will agree, some won’t, at the end of the day all of our opinions don’t matter, it’s what they (the NRL) think,”
“I think we have been going in circles with them.
“I know for New Zealand, so many of those Kiwi boys have given up Origin to be able to play for the Kiwis… that’s a credit to them and there are so many boys who have represented them for so long.
“Like Dallin (Watene-Zelezniak), he’s probably been raised in Sydney most of his life and he’s one of the world’s best wingers, he could easily play Origin in that arena and thrive.
“But for him to be able to give Origin up and go play for the Kiwis, it means much more than just a jersey I think.”
