Im not saying anything like that at all, however much you seem to be wishing I was.

Im simply saying that if a player wants to play SoO and top tier internationals he shouldn’t be forced to choose Australia/England/NZ.

If Akuila Uate wants to play for Australia fine, good luck to him. But he should do that because he wants to play for Australia not because if he chooses Fiji he misses out on Origin and top tier internationals.

[url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/kiwis-hit-out-at-origin-coaches-as-kasiano-nears-maroons-switch-20120617-20ida.html?$50,000 for your loyalty.[/url

Shocking and it will only get worse until something is done to stop it. I love Origin but not at the expense of Test Footy!!

The quote from Taumolo says it all. When interviewed after SOO one he said, in his Kiwi bro accent, "It was great, everything I expected it to be. Getting an Australian jersey was just an added bonus." Shows how cheap representing the green and gold has become. Dally Messenger will be turning in his grave!

Is there anyone in the Australian media or current/former players, coaches talking about the the lack of desire to represent the green and gold and test football in general?

Sam Burgess! He was on the NRL on Fox the other week and stated that he wouldn't turn his back on his country for anything or any amount of money.

Sadly SOO rules, its the parochial nature of the states and territories in Australia. Generally the ex players talk about representing their country as the highlight of their career. I do think the demise of proper tours and an Ashes series has contributed to the SOO prominence.

The nzrl will have to match the current soo match payments when their series begins.

Neither did Morley. THe media made up so much crap about him wanting to play Origin and giving up the chance to play Origin.

Utter bolloçks, he was asked if he'd like to play Origin and he said yes, that was it. They made the rest of the crap up as he'd got residency status aswell. more to do with moving back here when he retires than playing for NSW.

The other funny was Dally Cherry Evans being asked to play for England as he mum's English. Guess what. His mum ain't English.

with a name like that there must be some southern toff in him!

[url=http://www.nrl.com/grant-admits-origin-eligibility-an-issue/tabid/10874/newsid/68149/default.aspx?"If the rules are wrong then change the rules."[/url

The 'Make yourself eligible for Aus' rule is a recent one I presume? Didn't Craig Smith (NZ) and Adrian Lam (PNG) both play Origin but stayed loyal to their country?

It's bizarre that it's done at all. State of Origin has nothing to do with national team availability, you qualify through senior rugby league. It doesn't even cover all of Australia ffs. It isn't even like Australia needs the carrot at international level anyway. I genuinely don't understand how where you start a career dictates your national allegience.

Surely Australia wants more competitive internationals and higher profile representative games? Surely diluting Australia and relaxing Origin rules would help with both? Or is it more important to win than improve the game