Emerging State of Origin prop Martin Kennedy - caught in a qualification dispute between NSW and Queensland - proudly declared yesterday: "I'm a Queenslander through and through."
However, the ARL last night could not guarantee it wouldn't force Kennedy to represent NSW.
Kennedy, the Roosters prop who terrorised Wests Tigers last weekend, was born in Lismore and has lived 14 of his 22 years in NSW.
But he considers himself a Queenslander and wants to be a Maroon.
"My whole life I have wanted to play for Queensland. It would be ridiculous in my eyes to play for NSW," Kennedy told The Daily Telegraph. "I'm a Queenslander through and through. I grew up in Queensland, I went to school in Queensland, I played all my footy in Queensland.
"I know a few things make me eligible for NSW, but I am a Queenslander."
Kennedy lived in NSW until he was 10 before moving to Queensland for eight years, where he completed school at Ipswich Grammar and started playing rugby league.
He then returned to NSW in 2007 after signing with the Roosters. Before moving north, Kennedy had just one season of rugby league, as a nine year old.
But his eight years in Queensland left an indelible mark on Kennedy, who has no desire to pull on a Blues jumper.
"This isn't half-baked. You are either a Queenslander or you're not and I am," Kennedy said. "It was only when I went to Queensland that I started playing footy.
"I had 12 months of playing with my mates in NSW but it was in Queensland when I started to play seriously.
"I was born in NSW but my early years were on the farm in northern NSW. When you are young you really don't know who you want to play for.
"My idols are Shane Webcke and Steve Price.
"If you grow up in Queensland, Queensland player are your idols.
"My greatest achievement before playing first grade was making the junior Queensland sides. All the junior rep teams I made were in Queensland.
"I moved to Queensland when I was 10 and didn't come back until I signed with the Roosters when I was 18.
"I also played with the Ipswich Jets when I was 17."
When Kennedy shifted into the Roosters' system he played a season of the then Arrive Alive Cup with Matraville Sports High School.
It led to selection in the NSW CHS side and NSW Schoolboys side before he was appointed captain of the Australian Schoolboys.
Asked how it felt to wear the sky blue of NSW, Kennedy said: "It felt different."
And do his parents want him playing for Queensland? "For sure," Kennedy said.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr spent yesterday tracking Kennedy's past to determine which state the player should represent. "We want to triple check his Queensland Schoolboy records to make sure we cover every game he played," Carr said. "We don't need to rush a decision. We have until City-Country [May 6].
"We know he has represented Queensland under-17s but that isn't State of Origin. He has also represented NSW Schoolboys. Martin has lived in both states so there are qualification issues."For now though, Kennedy just wants to play strongly for the Roosters. "There is only one bloke I am looking to impress and that is [coach) Brian Smith," he said. "Origin is a long way away. I just want to play footy."
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/spor...x-martin-kennedy/story-e6frexnr-1226033647858
