Darius Boyd in way of Semi Radradra's $160,000 gamble to play for Australia
Semi Radradra must oust Darius Boyd from the Kangaroos left wing position for a $160,000 gamble to pay off after turning his back on Fiji in the 2017 World Cup.
Radradra, who has applied to the Rugby League International Federation to change his allegiances from the Bati to the Kangaroos, will never be eligible to play State of Origin but he can represent Australia on residency grounds.
Unless he withdraws his application before it is formally approved within coming days, the Parramatta winger will also be ineligible to play for Fiji again until December 2, 2017 - the day after the World Cup final.
Without playing Origin, the closest he may get to the tournament is as a spectator as no player has regularly held down a place in the Australian team without playing in the interstate series.
The 23-year-old's decision has stunned many in the game as there was no need for him to make such an important decision about his international future at this time.
The Kangaroos had not been pursuing the Eels star and he has now put new Australian coach Mal Meninga in the difficult position of having to decide whether to pick him for the upcoming trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand in Newcastle on May 6.
Boyd has been a regular on the left wing for the Kangaroos since 2008 and has scored 13 tries in 17 Tests playing mainly outside Greg Inglis.
South Sydney's Alex Johnston played on the left wing in Boyd's absence during Australia's only Test appearance last year, while Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou deputised for him in 2014. Melbourne's Will Chambers has played on the left wing for Queensland and is another option but he will probably be selected at left centre, with Inglis expected to move to fullback to replace the injured Billy Slater.
Chambers and Boyd are expected to form the left-side combination for the Maroons in this year's Origin series, with Inglis at fullback.
Radrada is ineligible to play for NSW as he was born and raised in Fiji and only moved to Australia in 2012 after being signed by the Eels.
Under State of Origin rules, a player must have resided in the state he plays for before the age of 13.
Players can receive $90,000 if they play all three Origins but Radrada would still be able to earn up to $160,000 in the next two years if he represented Australia in every Test, the end of season Four Nations and 2017 World Cup.
Australian players are paid $20,000 per Test and $50,000 for the Four Nations and World Cup, provided they win. The Kangaroos receive $30,000 for each tournament, and $10,000 for making the final and a $10,000 bonus if they win.
However, without playing Origin, Radrada would need to be in top form for Parramatta in the finals to force his way into the Australian squad for the October 15 Test in Perth and the Four Nations tournament in Britain.
Radrada, who has played four Tests for Fiji, became an Australian citizen in January and has been making noises about wanting to play Origin but by changing his Test allegiances without an indication of whether he would be selected by Meninga he may not play representative football again until 2018.
