The International Rugby League (IRL) board has unanimously voted to extend the eligibility requirements in a bid to “future-proof” the Rugby League World Cup.
Players are currently restricted to leaning on parents and grandparents if they wish to play for their heritage.
But they will now be able to tap into their great-grandparents, in a major boost to keep the Pacific nations in contention for stars born in Australia and New Zealand.
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“There are so many of these smaller nations — Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Lebanon — that ultimately, due to the fact a large number of these families are migrating to Australia or New Zealand, their residency and their birthplace heritage simply won’t be there in the future,” David Riccio said on Channel 7’s Rugby League World Cup coverage.
“By being able to call on their great-grandparents, it future-proofs the game.”
Former Australian international turned Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt had been a “massive, massive part” of the change, Riccio added.
“He’s highly concerned the Cook Islands would soon run out of players,” Riccio said.
“It’s been a major win for nations like Cook Islands, Lebanon, Tonga, Samoa.
“It’s a simple byproduct of how far the game has proven it can go on the international stage.”
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Kiwis great Shaun Johnson said he is in favour of the move.
“If we’re serious about wanting to grow the game we need these nations to be strong,” he said.
“Ultimately you never just want to pull up to a World Cup and see two, three, four, five teams just fight for it.
“Why not have six, seven, eight? You’re looking into the future, you’re getting a little bit of an idea into the mindset of how we’re going to grow the game.
“And I love it.”
“My mum’s from Laos, if Laos ever have a team, that means my daughter can play. How good is it?”
Riccio said it opens up the door for several nations, including Ireland and Italy, to find new players.
Both nations took part in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup with Brett White and Rory Kostjasyn representing Ireland while Italy boasted Anthony and Mark Minichiello, James Tedesco, Anthony Laffranchi, Aidan Guerra and Cameron Ciraldo.
Riccio also noted Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate’s children would not be able to follow in his footsteps under the previous grandparent rule.
“Their grandfather John was born here in Australia,” Riccio said.
“By pushing it out to great-grandparents it allows the famous Hopoate family to continue to play. That’s just one example.”
The rule change comes on the back of the news that Hawaii and Utah look set to host the 2030 Rugby League World Cup to further tap into support for the Pacific nations.
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