I'm surprised you couldn't read it. I don't have a subscription but could see the article so I assumed it wasnt behind a pay wall. Anyway, here's the meat and veg of it. Forgive my cut and paste job.
Every Tier One star eligible and ineligible for State of Origin after bombshell rule change
State of Origin is about to get a serious injection of star power in 2026 thanks to the NRL’s groundbreaking eligibility rule changes. These are the superstar players who are and aren’t eligible for NSW and Qld.
State of Origin is about to get a serious injection of star power.
On the back of the NRL’s groundbreaking decision to allow players from Tier One nations - England and New Zealand - to play State of Origin from this year under the revamped eligibility changes, some of the game’s best players are set to line up for Queensland and NSW in 2026.
Players like Kalyn Ponga, Isaiya Katoa, Kaeo Weekes have avoided representing New Zealand in the past for a shot at Origin. That now changes.
ORIGIN ELIGIBILITY CHECK
Players must have either been born in Australia or moved here before they turned 13, in order to be eligible to play State of Origin.
KALYN PONGA
Has been
contemplating a switch to New Zealand but was expected to make a decision after this year’s Origin series. Now he can make a definitive call without jeopardising his Queensland position.
VERDICT: Eligible for Queensland
VICTOR RADLEY
He’s as Eastern Suburbs as Bondi Beach, but opted to represent England on the international stage, forfeiting his Origin eligibility. At 27, he could still be in line for a Blues debut.
VERDICT: Eligible for NSW
AJ BRIMSON
Already played four games for the Maroons, but gave up eligibility to chase an international career with England. Now, he’s back in the Origin frame, should his form warrant selection.
VERDICT: Eligible for Queensland
ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE
Born and bred in Sydney, he played one Test for New Zealand in 2017 which cruelled his Origin hopes. Now, at 30, the Cronulla prop is expected to walk straight in to the NSW side.
VERDICT: Eligible for NSW
ISAIYA KATOA
Born in Wellington and moved to Sydney when he was nine. New Zealand have already approached him about representing the Kiwis, but he chose to play for tier-two nation Tonga, which enabled him to keep his Origin hopes alive. The Kiwis are now expected to make another bid for his services.
VERDICT: Eligible for NSW
JASON TAUMALOLO
The poster boy for this rule change for a decade. Taumalolo played the last of his 10 Tests for New Zealand in 2017 before a bombshell defection to Tonga. He’s now eligible for Queensland but, at 32, may have missed his opportunity.
VERDICT: Eligible for Queensland
KAEO WEEKES
The Canberra fullback is of Maori descent, but was born and raised in Sydney and has represented the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII. Eligible for NSW Origin and either Australia or New Zealand internationally.
VERDICT: Eligible for NSW
CASEY MCLEAN
Born and raised in western Sydney but opted to represent New Zealand. The 19-year-old now looks destined to wear the Sky Blue jersey at some stage.
VERDICT: Eligible for NSW
BRITON NIKORA
New Zealand-born but moved to the Gold Coast before he turned 10. Eligible for the Kiwis and Maroons.
VERDICT: Eligible for Queensland
JAHROME HUGHES
NRL will have to investigate Hughes’ eligibility, given the uncertainty around the timeline of his move to Australia. The New Zealand-born half reportedly came to Australia around 2008, which would put him on the cusp of eligibility and an unlikely call-up for Queensland.
VERDICT: Unclear
RONALDO MULITALO
Tested Origin eligibility in recent years in a bid to play for the Maroons, but was ineligible because he arrived from NZ after turning 13.
VERDICT: Ineligible for Queensland
MOSES LEOTA
The Kiwi enforcer moved to Australia at the age of 13 and so he just misses the cut-off for Origin eligibility.
VERDICT: Ineligible for NSW
DYLAN BROWN
Parramatta brought the New Zealand prodigy to Australia when he was 15, making him ineligible to play for NSW at Origin level.
VERDICT: Ineligible for NSW
XAVIER WILLISON
The giant Kiwi, and Brisbane’s man most likely to replace Payne Haas next season, came to Australia when he was 15, ruling him out of Origin.
VERDICT: Ineligible for Queensland.
DEINE MARINER
Another Kiwi who moved to Australia with his family as a teenager. The Broncos scouted him at 14 and he relocated to the Gold Coast to attend Palm Beach Currumbin, but not early enough to make him a Maroon.
VERDICT: Ineligible for Queensland.
JOSEPH TAPINE
The 31-year-old came to Australia in 2013 and is definitely ineligible for Origin.
VERDICT: Ineligible for NSW
www.nrl.com
