Why Keeping Rugby League’s Eligibility Rules Is A Win For The Pacific Islands

Article – RNZ

Opinion – Prior to the rule changes, only three countries – Australia, England and New Zealand – dominated the men’s competition, writes Iliesa Tora.Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist

Opinion – Pacific Island nations would definitely be applauding the International Rugby League (IRL) boss for ruling out changes to the sport’s player eligibility rules.

IRL chairman Troy Grant has reaffirmed his stance that he wants the current eligibility rules, which have favoured the Pacific – especially Samoa and Tonga – to remain unchanged, despite calls in Australia by top coach Wayne Bennett and Kangaroos icon Mal Meninga to scrap them.

Prior to the rule changes, only three countries – Australia, England and New Zealand – dominated the men’s competition.

However, since the new rules came into effect in 2017, Samoa and Tonga have been consistent challengers to the top-tier nations.

The current rules state that players are free to change the country they represent each year, with the exception of switching between tier-one nations i.e. Australia, New Zealand and England.

Eligibility Rules for International Rugby League:

• (ii) A Player is eligible to play an International Match for:

a) the Nation in which he/she was born;

b) the Nation in which either of his/her Parents was born;

c) the Nation in which either of his/her grandparents was born;

d) the Nation which is his/her principal place of Residence;

• (iii) A Player eligible under Residence in accordance with Rule (ii)(d) above may only represent Nations pursuant to Rule (iv) below and must maintain the right to be employed in the Nation/Nations for which he/she claims eligibility.
• (iv) A Player who is eligible to play for more than one Nation shall be entitled to elect:

a) One Tier 1 Nation he/she wishes to represent based upon satisfying the eligibility criteria under Rule (ii); and

b) One Tier 2 or Tier 3 Nation he/she wishes to represent based upon satisfying the eligibility criteria under Rule (ii).

• (v) A Player can only ever elect to represent one (1) Tier One Nation. A Player cannot change eligibility from one Tier One Nation to another Tier One Nation.

Pioneers

That was the case in 2017, when Andrew Fifita, who was a key member of the Kangaroos, and Jason Taumalolo, a top prospect for the Kiwis, turned their backs on their adopted countries and opted to lead Tonga to the World Cup.

Their decision encouraged others like NRL players, including Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, David Fusitu’a, Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Solomone Kata, Mahe Fonua, Manu Vatuvei, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sika Manu, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Sam Moa, to opt for the Mate Ma’a Tonga squad.

Tonga lost to England 20-18 under controversial circumstances in the semifinals.

They dominated their other matches, defeating Scotland 50-4, Samoa 32-18, Lebanon 24-22 and upset the Kiwis 28-22.

For the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, Toa Samoa unveiled the names of eight players from the Penrith and Parramatta grand final teams in their powerful squad.

Then-Panthers stars Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Spencer Leniu and Taylan May headlined the 24-man squad, which also included Eels forwards Junior Paulo and Oregon Kaufusi.

Also included were tough Canberra Raiders forward John Papali’i, new sensation Joshua Suaalii and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

That Toa Samoa team went on to lose the final against Australia 30-10, but not after creating history as the first Pacific Island team to reach a Rugby League World Cup final.

They defeated England 27-26 in the semifinals to make their first final appearance.

Their other results at that campaign were losing to England 60-6, beating Greece 72-4 and France 62-4, and pipping Tonga 20-18.

Fast-forward to today, both Samoa and Tonga continue to enjoy the devotion of majority of their their top NRL and Super League players, who have chosen to play for the two countries in the Pacific Championship series.

Fiji had used Jaryd Hayne from the Kangaroos set up also at one time, while Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands are also getting to use some of their heritage players playing their trade in the NRL.

‘They’re the rules’

Twelve months away from the 2026 World Cup opener between Australia and New Zealand, Grant confirmed the rules would not be altered.

He said the rules allow for the maximum possible star power on the field.

“The way it is is obviously working. Why change something that is working?” Grant told Australian media.

“I like the rules as they are. The responsibility we have as an organisation is to provide the best available eligible players to represent their nation.

“And they can be eligible by birth, by heritage through the grandparent rule or by citizenship. They’re the rules. And if they qualify, they are eligible. You want the best players available who are eligible for that country, to put a showcase on for the fans.”

That should be the bottom line – having the best players available to represent the nations they want to play for, so that fans can be assured top-quality action on the field.

The current Pacific Championships is perfect example.

Take, for instance Fiji, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea in the men’s and women’s Bowls competition.

Cook Islands men’s team have certainly been boosted by the inclusion of some of their top NRL players. They are now in good standing to beat South Africa in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualifier in Sydney on Sunday.

Their women’s team have won their first-ever rugby league title, after they defeated both PNG and Tonga. They included a number of NRL players in their Moana team, who could have played for New Zealand.

Fiji, in the men’s competition, lacked a number of top players, and that worked against them when it mattered, thrashed by the PNG Kumuls in the final.

The Kumuls managed to get their top players in the NRL and Super League home. It is working well for them as they build for the 2026 World Cup and the debut of the PNG NRL franchise in 2028.

In hindsight, the current eligibility rules are pro-Pacific Islands and for the smaller nations as well, who would otherwise lose their star players to the traditional powerhouses of Australia, England and New Zealand.

The IRL boss’s statement, therefore, means a boost for the Pacific teams, who can go about their way to entice some of their key players home.

That will certainly make the upcoming World Cup an interesting affair across the board.

It may also be a lesson for World Rugby to learn from.

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