THE 18-year-old dubbed the next Israel Folau has found himself at the centre of a trans-Tasman tug-of-war.
Australia and New Zealand both want Joseph Tomane to declare allegiance to them, just three games into his NRL career with Melbourne.
The teenager, who was born in Wellington but moved to Brisbane as an infant, is eligible for both countries and considered a certain starter for either under-19s team.
It's understood Tomane was set to pledge his allegiance to New Zealand before a chat with his parents a fortnight ago. He is now believed to be favouring Australia.
"He has to do it at some stage this year because I'd imagine he's going to be in contention for a Junior Kiwis or a Junior Kangaroos position," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.
"At this stage he hasn't made a decision."
Tomane made his NRL debut against the Gold Coast and scored a blistering 90m runaway try against Parramatta.
Despite being born in New Zealand, Tomane, who played rugby union most of his life, is eligible for Australia as he played his first senior football there.
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said the current eligibility system was under review with discussions between the ARL and NZRL under way.
"Currently, you're not locked in until you play a full international with one country or the other," said Carr, also the NSWRL boss.
"We've been in discussion with the NZRL in particular about tightening that up because last year, when we picked the Junior Kiwis and Junior Kangaroos, there were three both initially that were picked in both teams."
Tomane's manager Jim Banaghan said: "This is going to be an ever-increasing problem with the migration of Polynesian people to Australia.
"This is not a one-off. Karmichael Hunt was put in the same position at 18."
