The NRL great feels a change could stop players turning away from the Kangaroos in the future.
Queensland and Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan has claimed he would support both his teammates if they decide to switch allegiances and play for Samoa, but Brad Fittler has questioned if rules for eligibility around State of Origin should be amended. Fans were left scratching their heads once again at the rules in international rugby league afterThe Sydney Morning Herald reported trio Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas Tino and Fa’asuamaleaui were all thinking of playing for Samoa, which would rule them out for the Ashes tour at the end of the year.
One of the first jobs for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will be to try and convince the trio to play in the historic Ashes tour with all three close to automatic selections in the side. However, Carrigan has admitted he wouldn’t begrudge Broncos teammate Haas or Queensland teammates Tabuai-Fidow or Fa’asuamaleaui if they opted to switch allegiances.
Carrigan said while he would like to line-up alongside them, he would still cheer them on if they opted to pull on the Samoa jersey and represent their heritage. “Everyone has different cultural backgrounds and family experiences,” he said.
My love to play for Australia and for my country comes from my parents and their hard work so if those boys feel passionate about representing Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that’s their choice and I think it makes for a better product. I don’t begrudge them at all.”
Tabuai-Fidow played for Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, but was hampered with injury and only featured in one game. He has represented Australia six times since then having won the Pacific Championship last year in a stacked side. Fa’asuamaleaui played six games for Australia across 2022 and 2023, but has been injured in recent years having struggled to back-up for the green and gold at the end of the season.
Haas has represented Australia four times. Walters coached Carrigan and Haas at the Broncos for four years and has a good relationship with both of the forwards. And Carrigan feels Walters will be in Haas’ ear about his upcoming decision.
“I’d hope so, as a fan I’ll line him up for us and cheer him on,” he said. “Him and (Kevin Walters) have got a good relationship so I’m sure Kev will get into the big fella’s ears.”
Backlash over player defections at international level
Samoa is not considered a tier-one nation so if Tabuai-Fidow, Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui were to make the switch, they would still be able to continue playing Origin for their respective states. And fans have become increasingly confused and frustrated with reports of players switching.
Switching allegiances between a tier one and tier two nation has become a controversial debate within the game. However, the argument is State of Origin and the international game is strengthened with as many players getting involved as possible.
“They’re elite players in the Australian competition in our game so you want them playing for Australia, but I love where the international game is going,” Carrigan added about the international game. Veteran reporter Phil Rothfield also suggested rugby league benefits from players making the switch, but commentator Dan Ginnane claimed it’s time to make Samoa and Tonga tier one nations in rugby league.
Then there is the argument over State of Origin. Some fans feel a player should only be able to represent their state if they play for Australia. If playing for the Kangaroos deemed you eligible to play State of Origin – the current pinnacle of the sport – then less players would be so willing to make a switch. And former NSW coach Brad Fittler suggested that maybe the NRL need to think about a rule change to make players hold the Australian jersey in higher esteem.
“State of Origin’s the one that everyone loves playing. Unless you take State of Origin away from those tier two nations, then that won’t change,” Fittler told 2GB Radio. “There’s a lot of lobbying going on behind the scenes, especially with a lot of the Polynesian players to try to get them to go and play for Samoa, Tonga, or whatever.
“I think in the Pacific Nations it’s great that they’re competitive. I think in a World Cup, I think it is. I don’t know about this Kangaroo Tour. A lot of these players don’t know the history of the Kangaroo tour. I think playing in a Test match at Wembley is a little bit more significant than playing in a Pacific Nations game.”
While this could be implemented this does go against the purpose of Origin, which is representing the state where you started played junior footy. Players such as Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai all represent Samoa, but play a pivotal role in State of Origin and making the competition such an elite standard.
