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State of Origin 2026 - Mens Edition

TheParraboy

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Under the updated rules, any player who meets the existing State of Origin eligibility criteria will be able to play State of Origin, regardless of the nation they represent in international fixtures.

Previously, players were required to be eligible to represent Australia or a Tier Two nation as defined by International Rugby League (IRL). The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who represent Tier One nations — and who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria — to now be eligible.


The change reflects the strength of the international game and the significant growth of Rugby League, particularly across the Pacific.

Core State of Origin eligibility criteria remain unchanged:

  • The player was born in New South Wales or Queensland; or
  • The player resided in New South Wales or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday; or
  • The player’s father played State of Origin.
 

TheParraboy

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Who? Moses, but im struggling to think of anyone outside that! Maybe Hopgood, JAC

Well there's 3 there 😎 the 3 I was thinking

You left the crucial bit out "if we do well"

If we are flying first 10-12 rounds, you never know

Though tbh..Id be happy if we are flying (cause we are electrifying) and have no one in Origin
 

Pazza

Coach
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12,070
Well there's 3 there 😎 the 3 I was thinking

You left the crucial bit out "if we do well"

If we are flying first 10-12 rounds, you never know

Though tbh..Id be happy if we are flying (cause we are electrifying) and have no one in Origin

whos the fourth but?

for me i want as many eels as possible to play origin cause i want the most amount of big game experience in our side when the biggest games come our boys are use to the pressure.
 

TheParraboy

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whos the fourth but?

for me i want as many eels as possible to play origin cause i want the most amount of big game experience in our side when the biggest games come our boys are use to the pressure.

4th = tba
 

Noise

Coach
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19,169
Didn't expect this to be (and remain) an eligibility criteria... wonder who they had in mind back at the time they made that rule?
There was a whole thing with Julian O’Neil and his son when he was possibly getting considered for a junior origin team. I am pretty sure Adrian lam and Wendell sailors kids had a bit to do with it too(not that any of those 3 kids were anywhere close to origin).
 
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