adamkungl
Immortal
- Messages
- 42,955
http://leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=23440
From 2013 no player will be eligible to play for NSW or Queensland unless he has lived in that state before the age of thirteen, or unless he is the son of an Origin player. The player must also be eligible to play for Australia.
State of Origin is an incredibly important part of the game and the heart of the concept is a persons state of origin, ARL Commission Chairman, Mr John Grant, said today.
It is fundamental therefore that the concept is preserved on that basis, simply because it is so unique.
The Commission introduced a number of important changes to eligibility in 2012 that solved many of the previous arguments, but it did not solve all issues of international player eligibility.
The Under 13 cut-off is one that has been put forward by the General Manager of Game Development, Andrew Hill, after consultation with greats like Wayne Bennett, Bob Fulton and Tim Sheens, the state leagues and the Origin coaches.