Victor Radley, the hard-hitting Sydney Roosters player, has expressed support for abolishing the current rugby league international tiering system, suggesting it would benefit the sport’s future. Radley surprised many by choosing to represent England in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, despite being on the verge of selection for the NSW Blues and the Australian team.
Currently, Radley cannot play for both England and in State of Origin due to the tier one classification of England, Australia, and New Zealand. In contrast, players like Jarome Luai and Brian To’o have been able to compete for NSW or Queensland while representing tier two nations such as Samoa. This situation has sparked discussions around the international eligibility rules, as players like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are considering switching allegiances to Samoa.
Many argue that the tiering system should be removed entirely, or at least amended to allow players who commit to tier one nations like England or New Zealand the option to play State of Origin, provided they meet the local eligibility criteria. This change could enable Radley to represent both England and NSW, as well as Kalyn Ponga potentially playing for New Zealand while remaining part of the Queensland side.
Radley, while content with his decision to play for England, believes it would enhance the international game if the tiering rules were changed. He insists that players should still need to meet specific eligibility requirements, such as having played junior football in their respective states. “I’m not searching for a big change, but if it changed, it would be a good thing… it would be positive for the international game if they did change the rules for everyone,” he remarked.
Despite endorsing a shift in eligibility criteria, Radley humbly doubted it would impact his chances of being selected for the NSW team, commenting light-heartedly, “I probably wouldn’t even get picked.”
Since the pivotal moments in 2017 when players like Jason Taumalolo decided to defect from New Zealand to Tonga, international rugby has experienced significant growth, both in audience interest and competitive quality. The upcoming historic Ashes series between Australia and England marks a crucial milestone, with Kevin Walters stepping in as Kangaroos coach.
While recovering from a shoulder injury, Radley remains focused on returning to form to secure a place in Shaun Wane’s England squad. Other Australian players, including AJ Brimson, who played for Queensland yet never for Australia’s Test team, are also expected to feature in the series, which kicks off at Wembley Stadium on October 25, followed by matches in Liverpool and Leeds.
This discussion around the tiering system and player eligibility reflects ongoing tensions and the evolving nature of representative rugby league as it seeks to balance heritage and competition.