"It was hard not to be eligible for Queensland": Brimson reacts to Origin eligibility news
The NRL has unveiled new State of Origin eligibility criteria that alter how nationality and early-life ties affect representative selection.
Players who have played for Tier One countries can now be considered for Origin if they were born in Australia or played their first rugby league match in the country before turning 13.
That change has opened the door for several athletes, including Addin Fonua-Blake, who had one Test for New Zealand before later representing Tonga.
Under the old regulations that single Kiwi appearance would have blocked an Origin opportunity for the Cronulla Sharks forward.
Gold Coast Titans five-eighth AJ Brimson has been forced to reconsider previous representative decisions after the announcement.
He admitted that when he pledged to England it felt like he had closed the book on playing for Queensland.
As far as he knew, there was an understanding that there was no road back, that it was dismantled behind him.
"It's been a confusing and shocking morning," the Titans half revealed.
"I've always loved Queensland, but it was a great opportunity to be able to represent my mum's side of the family in England.
It was something I didn't regret regardless of this decision."
Brimson also revealed he had not realized the rules made him eligible to pull on an England jersey in the first place.
The new policy is set to reshape representative pathways and prompt other players to reassess past allegiances.