Maroons coach Billy Slater backs changes to eligibility rules; State of Origin, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui video

Billy Slater has pointed out a key moment during this year's State of Origin series that proves why the eligibility rules need to be changed.

Debate has sparked again this past week after news that Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was weighing up defecting to Samoa after representing Australia last year.

The gun fullback could join the likes of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Payne Haas in playing for the tier two nation in the Pacific Championships instead of featuring in the Ashes.

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While some would argue those who feature for NSW or Queensland should be forced to play for the Kangaroos on the international stage, the rise of the Pacific Island nations such as Tonga and Samoa in recent years has seen a major shift.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Getty

It has led to calls for further changes to the current system, which could allow those from England and New Zealand to play Origin football, opening the door for the likes of Victor Radley or Addin Fonua-Blake to be part of the game's biggest spectacle.

Slater believes that as long as a player has passion for the jersey and are eligible to represent the Blues or Maroons, that should be the only thing that matters.

"There's obviously a lot of conversation with players in the background on who they want to play for," the Queensland coach said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"I love the fact that Peter V'landys has said there needs to be a conversation at the end of the year, so that we can get to the bottom of this.

"The player landscape in the game has changed and with change, you need to discuss things and work out what is best for the game. What makes State of Origin so good is the passion behind it. I don't remember picking Queensland - it picked me.

"I saw scenes of Tino before the first game this year - look how much it means to him. There's debate whether he is considering going and playing for Samoa. I don't know what he wants to do - but just have a look how much Queensland means to Tino.

Billy Slater speaks about Tino Fa'asuamaleaui playing for Samoa Nine

"I think that you can represent a nation that is not Australia and still be passionate about NSW or Queensland. I love the fact there's going to be a conversation, because the landscape has changed and maybe there needs to be some sort of change.

"You look at Victor Radley, he would feel very NSW and he would be great. There's a number of players that this could open the door for, to play for that passion."

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Radley has previously been part of Origin squads but never officially made his debut before switching his allegiance to play for England in 2022.

More recently, AJ Brimson pledged his allegiance to England as well, despite already playing a handful of games for Queensland - but never representing Australia.

Kalyn Ponga is another star who could be positively impacted by potential changes, which could see him represent both the Maroons and Kiwis moving forward.

Kalyn Ponga Getty

While the changes would be seen as a boost for both Origin and the international game, the one issue for Kangaroos great Brad Fittler centres around a looming series.

"The only thing that's changed is the Kangaroo tour," he said.

"We need to put some focus towards the northern hemisphere game and if we take a Kangaroo team up there every six years, we should take the best possible team we can.

"There's an appetite to see our best players, so I feel like we should make it so that every single player that is in Australia should make themselves available for that team.

"That's the only time they should play outside their Polynesian country."

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