Changing State of Origin eligibility rules is a great move

The NRL has officially announced revised State of Origin eligibility rules, and the debate is already heating up. But are these changes really a step backwards — or could they actually be exactly what rugby league in Australia and New Zealand needs?In this episode of Footy IQ, we break down what the new rules mean, why they’re a move in the right direction, and how they could finally bring clarity and balance to international representation. From player development pathways to the impact on Origin’s intensity, we unpack every angle.