A proposed revamp of rugby league's eligibility rules is being hailed as a game-changer for Pacific nations, just over a year out from the next World Cup.
The Rugby League International Federation has approved plans that would allow eligible players to nominate both a tier one and tier two nation to represent.
Players would also be free to switch between the countries multiple times with no stand-down period.
Vinnie Wylie gauged reaction from the coaches of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
David Fusitu'a starred for Tonga in this year's Pacific test and has since been selected in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming Four Nations.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Transcript
Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish has long questioned rugby league's restrictions on player availability and says the proposal would be a massive boost for Pacific teams and the international game.
"To have the top players playing for your countries, which you need, and because they've played Origin or played for New Zealand they shouldn't be penalised for playing for, particularly representing Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. I think it's a massively positive move for rugby league throughout the world."
David Fusitu'a and Solomone Kata starred for Tonga in this year's Pacific test and have since been selected in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming Four Nations. Mate Ma'a coach Kristian Woolf says the proposed changes are timely.
"Under the current rules that means that they can't play for Tonga again in the World Cup and if they're not picked for New Zealand that means they're watching a World Cup and not participating. That to me has always been the issue - we want the best players available for all the nations. Players will still get that choice and some players will still choose to play for other nations and that's fine."
Fijian flyer Semi Radradra was controversially picked in the Australian squad earlier this year after qualifying on residency grounds but would be free to return to the Bati if overlooked by the Kangaroos. Head coach Mick Potter says that's among a number of intriguing options at his disposal.
"The possibility of Jarryd Hayne coming back, the possibility of Semi - if he doesn't get picked for Australia - to be able to play and there's quite a few opportunities for others players to be able to drop back, so whether or not they're Tongan, Samoan or Fijian. It does open up some avenues and some options for us."
Anthony Milford starred for Samoa at the 2013 World Cup but has not played for the Toa in the past three years, despite being overlooked by Queensland and Australia. Matt Parish says the new rules would certainly add some firepower to next year's Rugby League World Cup.
"You put two or three really really good players in any team (and) it can change the whole balance of your whole squad. Obviously from a Toa Samoa point of view, if we had Anthony Milford for example playing for us in 2014 (in the Four Nations) I've got no doubt we would have won the first two games - and thus put us in the final - and that's all these teams need is one or two players of that quality to come into your team."
The other major proposal would allow Pacific players to take part in State of Origin whilst remaining eligible for their native island country.
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