LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
International Rugby League's leader, Troy Grant, has confirmed that there will be no alterations to the eligibility rules, asserting that the current framework has positioned the global game in its strongest state ever.
The upcoming tournament is set to be the most eagerly awaited in history, thanks to the emergence of Samoa and Tonga as credible contenders, which is expected to attract significant crowds.
Despite the Pacific nations' growth, discussions have arisen concerning changes to eligibility regulations, spearheaded by figures like Wayne Bennett, who advocates for restrictions on players switching national representation.
Currently, players can change the nation they represent annually, except when moving between tier-one countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and England.
This flexibility enabled Payne Haas to shift from Australia to Samoa this year, continuing a trend initiated by Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo's transitions to Tonga in 2017.
Bennett has strongly supported the idea that players should represent only one nation throughout their careers, an opinion echoed by former Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.
Some others have suggested that players should be restricted to one nation per World Cup cycle, allowing for changes every four years.