Kikau interested in State Of Origin if rules change

Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau is the latest Pacific Islander to put his hand up to play Origin should the eligibility rules change.

Debate around the criteria for Origin has intensified after North Queensland’s Tongan lock Jason Taumalolo expressed interest in representing the Maroons in this year’s series.

Taumalolo is currently ineligible to play Origin because he has played for top-tier nation New Zealand, even though he lived in Queensland before his 13th birthday.

However, with 50 per cent of the NRL now filled with Polynesian players, the argument has been made for the Origin arena to include the game’s best players.

It comes as ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is entertaining an overhaul of the Origin eligibility rules to cater for players like Taumalolo.

Kikau, who has played 11 Tests for Fiji, would be eligible for Queensland after playing his first junior league in Australia in Townsville before playing under 20s with the Cowboys.

Kikau says Origin has always been around the radar, so if the rules change and he gets his opportunity it would be good.