RLIF review eligibility laws

The RLIF is to review its eligibility laws, in a move which would end the chances of Brett and Josh Morris playing for England.

Australian media reports that the RLIF is considering allowing players from the ‘Big Three’ of Australia, New Zealand and England to nominate a second country for which they qualify.

Australia, New Zealand and England would be classed as ‘Tier One’ nations, and other countries as ‘Tier Two nations’.

While a player could swap from one of the Tier One nations to a Tier Two country, they could not swap between Tier One nations, so the Morris twins, who have already represented Australia, could not play for England.

New England coach Wayne Bennett has been rumoured to be targeting the Morris twins, as well as Trent Hodkinson.

The reported aim of the move is to increase the chances of Tier Two nations being competitive, and would also allow players who qualify for Tier Two nations, such as Tyson Frizzel or Antony Milford, the chance to still play State of Origin.

With the Kangaroos players receiving in the region of Aus$20,000 a game, the financial implications of declaring for Australia are obvious.

But the game’s hierarchy also do want to hamper the chances of the likes of Fiji, Samoa, Scotland or Wales being more competitive and helping to grow the international game.