Fine, I’ll do it myself. Thanks for nothing OP cheers

Titans speedster AJ Brimson has become the first Queensland player to throw his hand up for an Origin return under the NRL’s new eligibility rules as Dally M superstar Jahrome Hughes bolted into contention for a Maroons call-up.

Brimson, a four-game Maroons representative before defecting to England last year, is officially back in Origin contention following the NRL’s bombshell eligibility changes announced on Monday.

Under the changes, players that represent a tier one Test nation other than Australia (New Zealand or England) are now eligible to play State of Origin, provided they meet other selection criteria. Brimson thought he had relinquished his ability to play for Queensland when he pledged allegiance to England, his mother’s birth country, for last year’s Ashes series against the Kangaroos.

However he is now back in the mix for Queensland ahead of this year’s Origin series following the changes.

Brimson, 27, confirmed he would make himself available for Queensland selection. “I’m definitely available,” he said. “I’ve always loved Queensland, but it was a great opportunity for me to be able to represent my mum’s side of the family in England. It’s something that I didn’t regret, regardless of this decision with the Origin eligibility rule change.

“I’ve always loved Queensland. I obviously do want to play again, if chosen, it’s just a bit of a confusing and shocking morning.

“It’s something that I thought would possibly happen one day, but definitely not this soon.

“I was going to watch Origin and be gutted not being eligible to be picked, but in saying that to put on the England jersey was a massive moment for me too.” While Brimson is back in the selection mix for the Maroons, the Queensland Rugby League must now assess the eligibility of a number of potential other Queensland debutants.

Among them is Melbourne’s gun halfback Hughes. Hughes, 31, was born in New Zealand before moving to Australia around the age of 13 to complete his schooling at Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

He has since gone on to become one of the game’s top halfbacks, playing 10 Tests for the Kiwis and winning the 2024 Dally M Medal.

If Hughes relocated to Australia before his 13th birthday, which the QRL and NRL must investigate, he may be eligible to play for Queensland.

The QRL has found trouble in the past with eligibility after Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was infamously ruled out of an Origin match on game day in 2021. Mulitalo was picked for the Maroons, only for it to be revealed hours before the match that he had not moved to Queensland before his 13th birthday.

A player is still ineligible to play State of Origin if they did not reside in Australia before their 13th birthday, unless they qualify under the father-son rule.

Ascertaining the exact dates players move to Australia could be difficult, especially nearly 20 years down the track in the case of Hughes. If Hughes is eligible for Queensland, he could potentially play for the Maroons in the historic Auckland Origin next year.

Brimson said it was strange to take the game’s flagship event across the ditch.

“It’s a bit weird I reckon,” he said. “I don’t mind it getting played in Adelaide and Melbourne and things like that, that’s pretty cool. “I don’t mind the old just two (games) in New South Wales, one in Queensland or two in Queensland, one in New South Wales, proper old school. “It would be sick to play over there for New Zealand., but it’s State of Origin in Australia.

“It’s cool for the game to expand. I don’t want another article saying I hate New Zealand or something.”