Kalyn Ponga can switch to New Zealand without losing his Queensland jersey and Addin Fonua-Blake is now available for NSW as part of sweeping new State of Origin eligibility rules.
In what looms as the biggest change to the Origin arena in the rivalry's 45-year history, it will no longer matter what country a player represents in international football.
Instead, the only eligibility criteria will be whether a player was born in NSW or Queensland, resided there before age 13 or had a parent play for the state.
In effect, it means those who play for tier-one nations New Zealand or England can now feature in Origin if eligible, in the same way Samoan and Tongan stars already do.
'Rugby league has changed, the international game has grown and our rules need to reflect that,' ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys said.
'If a player is eligible to play State of Origin, it makes no sense to exclude them simply because they've represented New Zealand or England at Test level.'
'State of Origin is about where you're from and what state you're eligible for - not which country you represent internationally.'
The new rule has the potential to create widespread change at both Origin and international level.
New Zealand stand as the country most likely to benefit, after players with Kiwi heritage had in the past had to give up playing in Origin to represent the country.
Ponga confirmed to AAP last week he was open to switching allegiances to playing for New Zealand, having only ever previously represented Australia in Nines World Cup.
He can now do so without giving up his Queensland jersey.
The likes of Isaiya Katoa could also now opt to switch from playing for Tonga to New Zealand, without throwing away his chances of playing for NSW.
Jarome Luai is another who could make a similar change from Samoa to the Kiwis, but that appears unlikely.
Penrith youngster Casey McLean is also eligible to play for NSW after debuting for the Kiwis in 2024, as is Victor Radley following his nine Tests for England.
Victor Radley (pictured), who was born in Sydney, thought he had closed the door on a Blues jersey when he opted to represent England - his father's birth country - at the 2022 World Cup
Rising Penrith outside back Casey McLean (pictured) opted to represent New Zealand in 2024 despite being born in Sydney's west
The six stars who will benefit from the new law
- Addin Fonua-Blake
The Sydney-born prop has mostly played for Tonga at international level except for a solitary Kiwis cap won in 2017, which made him ineligible for NSW selection. The Origin changes now clear the way for one of the game's premier front-rowers to play for the Blues this year. - Victor Radley
Radley thought he had closed the door on a Blues jersey when he opted to represent England - his father's birth country - at the 2022 World Cup. The Sydney-born Roosters lock was previously part of extended NSW squads under Brad Fittler. Gold Coast fullback AJ Brimson fits into the same category. - Kalyn Ponga
Newcastle's star fullback has been reluctant to make himself available for New Zealand due to fears such a move would rule him out of Queensland selection. The rule changes mean Ponga can now elect to play for the Kiwis and the Maroons. - Casey McLean and Kaeo Weekes
Rising Penrith outside back McLean opted to represent New Zealand in 2024 despite being born in Sydney's west. McLean is some way off NSW selection but he and Canberra fullback Weekes, who has yet to play representative football, are now free to play for the Blues and the Kiwis. - Shannon Mato
Mato, one of the most damaging forwards in the women's game, was born in New Zealand but has only played for Queensland. The forward would previously have been unable to represent the Kiwi Ferns but is now a realistic chance for New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
More seismic could be the fact Fonua-Blake is now eligible for NSW after his one Test for New Zealand in 2017, meaning he could partner Payne Haas in a fearsome front row this year.
Gold Coast five-eighth AJ Brimson can also now play for Queensland again, after the former Maroon gave up the chance of any more Origins when he opted to debut for England last year.
'It's pretty crazy news,' Brimson said.
'I thought it could possibly happen one day, but definitely not this soon.'
'I was going to watch Origin and be gutted watching it not being eligible to be picked. But I loved putting on the England jersey as well.'
'It was something I didn't regret... But I obviously love Queensland want to play again if chosen.'
In the women's game, Queensland forwards Shannon Mato and Brisbane hooker Destiny Brill can also both play for New Zealand.
The changes come as the NRL also confirmed an Origin match will be played in Auckland in 2027 at the 50,000-seat Eden Park.