International Rugby League (IRL) chairman Troy Grant has defended a controversial new eligibility rule allowing players to represent nations based on the birthplace of a great-grandparent.
The decision, announced in Sydney on Monday, aims to expand the global footprint of the sport ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The rule change departs from previous regulations, which limited player eligibility to the birthplace of parents or grandparents. By extending the lineage to the great-grandparent level, the IRL is effectively widening the talent pool for emerging nations, a move that follows recent successes by Pacific Island sides like Tonga and Samoa.
New eligibility rules may spread NRL talent globally
- NRL Talent Shift: Players with distant heritage may now shift allegiance under new eligibility rules, potentially spreading NRL talent around the globe.
Expanding the global footprint
The announcement comes as the Pacific and the United States were confirmed as hosts for the 2030 World Cup. The tournament is expected to follow a “Magic Round” format, with the Australian Rugby League Commission managing a schedule that moves pool matches across multiple venues, including Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Hawaii, and Utah.
The IRL’s decision was prompted by an application from the Cook Islands and their coach, Karmichael Hunt. Under the new criteria, players can now use a connection to any of their eight great-grandparents to qualify for international duty. While other major sporting bodies such as FIFA and World Athletics utilize grandparent rules, the IRL is the first to push the boundary to the fourth generation.
Troy Grant addressed the criticisms regarding the “purity” of international competition, suggesting the move is a pragmatic response to the modern game’s needs. It may not be as pure as some people may think it should be, or fit their mindsets. I don’t really care about that,
Grant said, noting his primary focus is growing the game and ensuring fans see the highest level of skill on the pitch.
Strategic talent redistribution
The move is widely viewed as a mechanism to redistribute NRL talent globally. Grant highlighted Canberra Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes as a primary beneficiary of the rule change, noting that Weekes could have represented the Cook Islands in the most recent tournament had these regulations been in place.
This shift follows a trend of regulatory fluidity in the sport. Nine months ago, a State of Origin eligibility adjustment allowed New Zealand internationals to represent New South Wales or Queensland, a move that facilitated Kalyn Ponga’s declaration of allegiance to the Kiwis. The IRL is also currently exploring the elevation of Tonga and Samoa to Tier-1 status to reflect their increasing competitive dominance.
| Eligibility Tier | Lineage Requirement | Primary Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Rule | Parent or Grandparent | Cultural/Direct Heritage |
| New IRL Rule | Great-Grandparent | Global Talent Distribution |
| Tier-1 Status (Proposed) | N/A | Competitive Parity |
While the 2030 World Cup will be staged in the US and Pacific, the IRL is already looking toward a 2034 tournament in Europe and Africa. However, logistical constraints remain a factor; despite the influx of talent, the group stages of the 2030 tournament are unlikely to visit Fiji, Tonga, or Samoa due to the necessary stadium and hotel infrastructure.
The economic reality of the current geopolitical climate is a driving force behind the decision. Grant argued that the movement of players between nations is an inevitability that the sport must embrace to enhance its future viability. I think we have players sitting on the sidelines who the public deserve to see show their skills,
Grant said.
“I think it enhances rather than in any way undermines the game into the future,” Grant said.
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