For years, Victor Radley and Addin Fonua-Blake were the kind of players that seemed tailor-made for State of Origin.
Both are known for their aggressive play, confrontational style, and relentless pursuit on the field, establishing themselves as forwards who can shift the game's momentum through sheer physicality.
Despite their shared dreams of representing NSW, eligibility rules in the past prevented either player from making an Origin appearance.
However, recent changes implemented by the ARLC in February have opened the door for Radley and Fonua-Blake, granting them the chance they once thought might elude them forever.
The updated regulations now permit players to compete for a State of Origin team regardless of the international side they play for, as long as they meet other eligibility criteria.
Previously, athletes aligned with Tier 1 nations outside Australia faced disqualification from Origin selection.
While Radley had made appearances for England, Fonua-Blake's lone match for New Zealand in 2017 effectively dashed any hopes of playing for NSW, even after he later pledged his allegiance to Tonga.
Additionally, debutant Casey McLean was also affected by the prior restrictions before the rule change was enacted.