‘Passion’ sees Hughes rule out playing Origin, even if he ends up eligible

Jahrome Hughes has made it clear that, no matter whether he’s actually eligible to play for Queensland in State of Origin under the new rule changes or not, the rugby league world will never see him in a Maroon jumper.

The NRL updated some of the key Origin eligibility rules this preseason, introducing an update that now allows players from other tier one nations besides Australia – right now, that’s England and New Zealand – to represent Queensland or New South Wales as long as they fit under all the other eligibility criteria that come with the all-star game.

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Questions had instantly turned to whether New Zealand halfback Hughes would be able to play for QLD Rugby League, with most of the clarity revolving around whether he arrived in Australia before his 13th birthday.

None of that matters now, though, because Hughes had made his stance very clear.

“I’ll give you this exclusive – I’m not gonna play Origin,” Hughes declared, speaking on his “167 Podcast” he hosts alongside Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen. “It doesn’t matter if I’m eligible or not. I would only play for a cash grab, and I wouldn’t do that. I feel like Origin is such a good game or spectacle, because they are so proud.

“You look at Mun, he is a proud Queenslander, he would die for that jersey.

“If I put a Queensland jersey on, I just wouldn’t have that same passion as if I put on the Kiwi or Maori jersey, or even a Storm jersey.”

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The 31-year-old was fairly likely eligible to play for Queensland, having moved there in 2008. He attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School as a youngster, and debuted with the Titans in 2013 before moving to the Cowboys, and then eventually the Storm. He was originally born in Wellington and has played 10 Tests for New Zealand over the years.

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Hughes playing for Queensland would have instantly upgraded the state side’s spine, considering he and club halves partner Munster already have a proven connection at six and seven and would have played together. The two won the 2020 NRL premiership alongside each other, and finished runners-up in the recent 2024 and 2025 finals to boot.

Instead, the QLD halves will likely stay as Munster and Tom Dearden for the next series.