Are New Zealand the biggest beneficiaries after Origin eligibility change?

Former Kiwi international Nathan Cayless believes that New Zealand will be the winners following the NRL’s decision to change the eligibility rules surrounding State of Origin.   

The ARLC confirmed on Monday that players representing a Tier One nation (England, New Zealand) and previously meeting the existing criteria (born in either state, having a dad who played in the series, or residing in QLD or NSW prior to their 13th birthday) can participate in the three-game series.

This now opens the door for New Zealand representatives, such as Penrith’s Casey McLean alongside Cronulla's Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora, who are now able to play for either New South Wales or Queensland, respectively.

It also allows players such as Kalyn Ponga to go play for New Zealand while maintaining his spot in the Maroons.

Speaking about the change, the former Eel who would have been eligible to play for NSW under these rules believes that it will take a lot of stress off players’ minds.

“I think it relieves pressure off the players and the parents,” Cayless said on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“I think it also relieves the pressure off the countries for New Zealand, Tonga (and) Samoa. Particularly, New Zealand.

“In the past, you had to convince kids to play for New Zealand rather than New South Wales, Australia (or) Queensland.

“But it’s (the rule change) opened it all up, so there’s less pressure on the kids about making decisions at a young age about 'who I’m going to play for'.

“They can just get on with the main thing for them and improving their career and look at their development."

And the 2008 Rugby League World Cup winning captain believes that this move will help generate more interest in State of Origin in the country, as it hosts a match for the first time in 2027.

He also thinks that it could help strengthen the Kiwis squad, considering that some players had elected to represent Tier Two countries like Samoa and Tonga over New Zealand to be allowed to play in State of Origin.

“As a New Zealand assistant coach, I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw that news,” he continued.

“I received that, and I texted Stacey Jones (NZ coach), and he’s pretty happy with it as well.

“I feel like New Zealand is going to be the winners (from this) as well as the game in general.

“Like it opens up State of Origin (to) a market playing in New Zealand. How that opens up as well, and the revenue that could be created from the game.

“That’s going to be a decision now that the young Polynesian boys do have to make because a lot of Tongan (and) Samoan families move from Samoa/Tonga to New Zealand.

“And they live a lot of their young lives in New Zealand (who) then move to Australia.

“I think now it’s purely going to be their heritage and how they want to honour their family and where their family are from, given that New Zealand does give a good pathway to families on their way to Australia.

“They are not going to miss out on anything, which is great.”

The rules will be in effect for this year’s Origin series. That starts on May 27 at Accor Stadium.