'Doesn't seem right': Payne Haas move highlights dilemma for NSW Blues teammate
Haas and King were starting props for the Blues in this year's series defeat to the Maroons, with the latter earning his first rep call-up off the back of strong NRL form with the Bulldogs. But while Haas is free to continue representing NSW at Origin level after deciding to switch his national allegiance to Samoa, King would not be free to do so if he chooses to play for England.
King is yet to play Test footy for either country but with Haas defecting from the Kangaroos and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui potentially following suit, it's opened the door for the Bulldogs prop to be picked in Kevin Walters' Australian squad for the Ashes. That would see King follow in the footsteps of his famous grandfather Johnny King, who won 15 caps for the Kangaroos and played in three Ashes series.
But if King is overlooked for Walters' Australian squad, then choosing to play for England would effectively end his Origin career as the rules currently stand. King admitted before his Origin call-up this year that he remained open to accepting a call-up from England, which is the country he was born in and where his mother is from.
"My mum's side of the family would love that," King told AAP in April. "I always say I'm half English and half Aussie... I'd love to be able to get a call off anyone. The phone is always on and I'm always available to any caller."
Max King Test dilemma looms ahead of Ashes series
However, the Canterbury star's maiden Origin call-up this year reportedly took him 'off guard' and forced King to shift his stance on playing for England. Seven league reporter Jelisa Apps said she spoke to King about the situation recently and the 28-year-old 'made it clear the Kangaroos are his first choice' but a huge dilemma looms if King is not picked in Walters' Ashes squad and chooses to play for England.
Haas is free to keep playing Origin because Samoa is classified as a Tier-2 nation but because England is Tier-1, it means King can't continue playing for NSW if he accepts an England call-up. It's a similar situation to Roosters star Victor Radley, who was born in Sydney and has lived there his whole life, but is barred from representing NSW because he chose to honour his family heritage and play for England.
SEN's Jimmy Smith summed up the Haas and King situations perfectly, after pointing out the unfair nature of the current Origin eligibility rules. "So think about it from this point of view: the two starting front-rowers from NSW have the opportunity to play elsewhere," Smith began by saying.
"One of them says 'yes I want to go and play for Samoa' and he can still play in State of Origin. The other says 'oh yes I'll go and play for England but he cannot play State of Origin. That doesn't seem right."
Calls to change Origin rules after recent defections
League 'Immortal' Mal Meninga and Matty Johns are among those who've embraced the push by Origin stars to represent the nations of their heritage, and agree it strengthens the international game. But many feel the eligibility rules should be changed so Australian-born players who also have English or Kiwi backgrounds can also represent those countries and still represent the state they grew up in.
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ARLC chairman Peter V'landys confirmed recently that the game's powerbrokers were preparing to review the current situation and indicated change could be on the horizon. 'It is a strong argument that if you've played your footy in Australia before the age of 13 and you are eligible to play Origin, why shouldn't you be able to?' V'landys said.
'If we were to change the rules, it would only be for New Zealand and English players. They're the tier-one countries impacted. (Players from) tier-two nations like Samoa and Tonga can still play State of Origin and represent those nations.'
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