NRL moves to block Queensland's Origin selection rorts

[Joker's Wild]

Not sure if this has been posted yet

RUGBY league's controversial representative eligibility guidelines will be overhauled to ensure there is no repeat of Greg Inglis's dubious defection to Queensland.

The Courier-Mail can reveal key figures from the NRL, Queensland Rugby League, NSWRL and New Zealand RL have discussed introducing beefed-up eligibility rules to avert the selection saga that allowed NSW-born Inglis to represent the Maroons.

The revamped guidelines are expected to be in place before this year's State of Origin series.

Inglis's selection for Queensland in 2006 sparked fury south of the Tweed when it emerged the centre, raised in the NSW town of Kempsey, had played his first senior game for NSW school Hunter Sports High.

Under the proposed new rules, however, the days of another NRL star pulling off a similar representative defection will be over.

At present, a player's State of Origin status is determined by where he played his first senior game after the age of 16.
But the code's officials have discussed a more thorough assessment process, with a player's eligibility to also be determined by where he went to school, where he played his junior football and, particularly in international cases, his parents' heritage.

Inglis, for example, would be declared a Blue under such a process. He was born in NSW and, barring a brief stint for Queensland's Wavell High at 16, played his junior football almost exclusively in NSW.

NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said he hoped the new guidelines would be in place for this year's representative season.

"We are in the process of getting people to look at the new guidelines to see if there are any holes in it. It isn't official yet but we are making an attempt to try and improve the way that works," Carr said.

"It's just a layer of different things which point to whether someone in the first instance is eligible for NSW or Queensland. "It's currently been where you have played your first game over the age of 16 but you could live in NSW for 15 years, play one game after 16 in Queensland and all of a sudden you are a Queenslander.

"Under the philosophy of the new guidelines, Greg Inglis for example would never have been deemed a Queenslander.

"We need to look at a range of things to determine eligibility, not just where you play your first senior game."

Linkidink

 

[Bobby DIGital]

"Greg Inglis...Bowraville Tigers" *folds arms*

 

[betcats]

Every NSW born queenslandaah should agree to be slapped by three NSW fans after game 1 as reparation for being a dog.

 

[the kirwan kid]

I'm a QLDer through and through and welcome the new rule changes ... although I am happy we've got Inglis, thanks.
I think the new rules make a lot more sense. where you are born really doesn't make a lot of difference - its where you were raised and feel a connection to.
Sterling was born in QLD but he's a NSWelshmen through and through due to him being raised in Wagga Wagga.
Note: people always point out that Inglis should be a NSW player (and I agree) but no one mentions Ken Nagas who played for NSW but was really a QLDer (as he states here - http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/SML...20050417-2-121-4076295V13@QLD-METRO-2006-2005)

 

[the kirwan kid]

As an aside, I think players should be made to declare their allegiance - be it New Zealand, England, Australia (QLD and NSW) etc when they sign their first contract with a professional rugby league side. Would save them from being pressured by selectors, coaches, media etc.

 

[Dragon2010]

About f*cking time.

 

[adamkungl]

Obviously been reading my extensive thoughts on the matter...now just remove the ties from SOO to the international game.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

But what aboutz da queeeeenslaaaaaannddeerrrrrr passion??!1!

 

[Big Pete]

Good.

But I still think there's going to be issues.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

And tears. There will always be blue tears.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Good.

But I still think there's going to be issues.

And tears. There will always be blue tears.

:lol: ........as long as their arse points to the ground and they continue to lose. NSWankers will forever be the crybabys of SOO

 

[AlwaysGreen]

:lol: ........as long as their arse points to the ground and they continue to lose. NSWankers will forever be the crybabys of SOO

Better than being a Fake Queenslander.

 

[Hutty1986]

Better than being a Fake Queenslander.

:lol: Duhh, but Sydnay is in Queenslauuunddder land!

 

[The Showstopper]

U play for the state where u r born. QUeensland can f### off as we will ban all ambulances from crossing the tweed. They can have a roadside birth if need be.

 

[Dresden Dan]

Even before these changes Inglis was still a NSW player.

 

[Bulldog Force]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...roon-origin-rort/story-e6frexv9-1226313925957

NRL moves to block Queensland's Origin selection rorts

Blue born and bred: Greg Inglis playing for Queensalnd in State of Origin despite originating in NSW. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

AT long last the NRL has acted to stop Queensland from rorting the State of Origin selection process. The new independent commission this week signed off on a document that will prevent another Greg Inglis fiasco from happening again.
Born, bred and educated in Macksville on the mid-north coast of NSW, Inglis would be forced to play for NSW under the new laws that are effective immediately.
Too bad they can't be backdated.

The NRL's director of development and integration, Andrew Hill, has been working for several months on the new eligibility criteria for Origin and City-Country.
All clubs received a copy of his document last week with an accompanying letter from salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, which explained how the forms have to be signed by a player and his agent as part of standard NRL or Toyota Cup contracts and registration.
"It takes away one of the biggest grey areas in the game," Hill said yesterday. "With the formation of the commission, this was a great opportunity to bring the state leagues together to address the issue.
"We looked at the wording of the old rule and it was ambiguous.
"So we've come up with a much simpler formula. We'll know the eligibility of each player from day one. There will be no need for lobbying or for the states to be fighting over a player."
The decision has been welcomed by NSW coach Ricky Stuart, who has had to sit back and watch Inglis carve up the Blues every year.
"This is something the game has needed for a long time," Stuart said.
"As part of the culture, I've only wanted players who want to wear the Blues jersey anyway but this makes it easier because it's all there in black and white."
There could still be a few grey areas if players are born in states other than NSW or Queensland and play junior league in their home areas.
"In the very rare case where it could still be unclear under the new guidelines, the commission will be the independent arbitrator," Hill said.
"There will be the odd case but nothing like what's gone on over the years."

 

[hutch]

They need to sort out what they are going to do with Victorian and western australia juniors. The way I see it there are only 3 options that make sense:

1- they don't play any origin games;
2- nsw and qld both adopt a state each and officially recognise this;
3- WA play vic annually as the game before nsw v qld. This would be the best option IMO!

Sure, it would take quite a few years to get their own origin game up to a high standard and it would originally be filled with Toyota cup and local players, but at least they are playing for their own states.

 

[Bulldog Force]

They need to sort out what they are going to do with Victorian and western australia juniors. The way I see it there are only 3 options that make sense:

1- they don't play any origin games;
2- nsw and qld both adopt a state each and officially recognise this;
3- WA play vic annually as the game before nsw v qld. This would be the best option IMO!

Sure, it would take quite a few years to get their own origin game up to a high standard and it would originally be filled with Toyota cup and local players, but at least they are playing for their own states.

Mate...

"In the very rare case where it could still be unclear under the new guidelines, the commission will be the independent arbitrator," Hill said.

 

[Joker's Wild]

At the risk of tipping off yet another "waaa NSW cry babies/butt hurt" etc etc triade from certain individuals, its about freakin time. The ambiguity of the SOO selection rules has made the concept lose some of its gloss and this is a positive step in restoring some of that lost integrity

 

[Pigskin]

Yes, we sorta get the idea, and a review of the policy is long overdue

but ... the article fails ... to tell us ... what the new policy actually is based around ! no quotes from the policy

ordinary journalism providing more questions than answers

Oink !

ps In 6 hours, only 4 responses to this thread, another fine advertisement of why having a separate forum for this and that is lame ... merge all major league topics to the one board