Despite reaching the ultimate of the World Cup, Samoa will stay a tier two nation — and International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant says that received’t change “any time soon.”
Samoa’s historic win over England to succeed in the ultimate sparked a debate over the worldwide tier system, similar to Tonga’s upset win over Australia in 2019.
But Grant has confirmed to News Corp that the 2 nations will doubtless stay on a tier two standing for the subsequent 10 years.
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“I don’t think that (Samoa and Tonga being promoted) will change any time soon,” Grant mentioned.
That means there will probably be no strain on the NRL to tweak State of Origin eligibility guidelines.
Under the present guidelines, a participant can’t play for New South Wales or Queensland in the event that they select to signify a tier one nation in worldwide footy.
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If Samoa and Tonga had been to be promoted to tier one standing, the likes of Brian To’o and Junior Paulo must select between representing NSW or Samoa.
Grant believes the tier one and tier two system “works” and is “great for Origin football” as a result of it permits gamers to be extra concerned in worldwide footy.
“Currently, Pacific guys such as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Queensland and Australia forward who has Samoan heritage) can go back and forth between nations,” he mentioned.
“If Tino wasn’t selected for Australia by Mal Meninga (Kangaroos coach), he could still play for Samoa because they are a tier-two nation.”
As beforehand detailed by foxsports.com.au, much more goes right into a promotion to tier one standing apart from on-field outcomes.
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Nations are anticipated to fulfill quite a few necessities together with participation numbers, home senior competitions, junior growth and entry to recourses to be dominated a tier one nation.
Grant is aware of there’s a “lack of understanding” across the system so confirmed to News Corp that “eligibility and tiering will be on the agenda” of a December board assembly.
“Tiering about nations is not just about on-field performance,” he mentioned.
“It also takes into account domestic competitions, participation levels and governance arrangements.
“Whilst Samoa and Tonga’s on-field national teams are performing to a level of excellence, they have some work to do on the domestic front.
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“It’s those performances that will hopefully drive the standards in their nations back at home and we’ll see where that takes us.
“The aspiration of Samoa and Tonga (to be tier-one nations) is terrific and we will do everything we can to support them because that’s our job, but we don’t want to set them up to fail either.
“You want to make a tier-one elevation based on a really strong framework so as countries their performances can be sustainable on and off the field.”