This year’s Rugby League World Cup will be the first international tournament since the IRL’s decision to relax eligibility rules for players.
Until this year, players who have previously represented Tier 1 nations Australia, New Zealand or England, were unable to play for other Tier 1 nations.
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That’s now changed, opening the door for several high profile stars to be given the chance to represent a side of their heritage they hadn’t been able to previously.
Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai are two of the biggest names to have their Tier 1 eligibility application approved, with the pair switching from Australia to New Zealand.
Ponga has long held a desire to represent the Kiwis. He is of Maori descent from his dad’s side and lived in New Zealand for five years.
“I didn’t want to pull on a jersey that – not that I wouldn’t be proud – but I just felt like this is me,” he said last Friday.
“I’m just grateful that this opportunity is here. I’m excited to make the most of it and get out there and represent the people.
“I thought it was the right decision (to change the rules). I think the game’s only getting bigger, and to strengthen both stages – the Origin arena and international – I was just grateful that I can actually have this opportunity and represent my people.
“It’s going to be a proud moment. I know my family will probably have tears in their eyes. Obviously doing the Haka and everything before the game, we’ll be proud.”
Warriors and Kiwis star Erin Clark is rapt Ponga will be wearing black when New Zealand kick off their World Cup campaign against Australia on Thursday night.
“I think for someone like Kalyn, his heart was always with New Zealand,” Clark said.
“He grew up here and it was time to come home and we’ve welcomed him with open arms.”
Premiership winning back rower Scott Sorensen says the amended rules has clearly strengthened the international game.
“It allows all players to represent their culture, their families and explore their cultures,” Sorensen said from the Kiwis camp.
“It gives them an opportunity to go and represent their jersey, represent their family and allows to have more of the best players up on the biggest stage for the World Cup.
“It’s awesome. It’s exciting for the game and exciting for the fans as well.”
While Ponga and Gagai are two of a few players who have recently changed Tier 1 eligibility, there are several others who will also be wearing new colours in the upcoming October-November showcase.
Foxsports.com.au lists the NRL players who have switched their allegiance ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Kalyn Ponga (New Zealand)
Ponga’s father Andre was born in New Zealand and as a child, Ponga spent several years living there.
Because Ponga represented Australia at a Nines tournament in 2019, he was ineligible to switch to another Tier 1 nation until this year.
Remarkably, he has never played in an international Test match before but is expected to don the No. 1 jersey for NZ this Thursday night.
Dane Gagai (New Zealand)
Gagai has represented Queensland, Australia, the Maori All Stars and the Indigenous All Stars, making him one of the more decorated rep players of the modern era.
After being granted permission to switch from Australia to New Zealand, Gagai is set to line up in his first World Cup since 2017, earning selection for the Kiwis after a stellar season for the Knights.
Gagai is eligible for the Kiwis through his mother Tania, who is of Maori descent.
“It’s a special moment for me and my family,” Gagai told reporters last Friday.
“Knowing I’m the second person in my family to represent the Kiwis, following in the footsteps of my cousin Josh Hoffman. Mum was super proud when we got this over the line. “I had represented everything I possibly could before being called into this squad. I’ve represented Australia, Queensland, the Māori All Stars and Indigenous All Stars. This was the last one for me to do.”
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Samoa)
The ‘Hammer’ is back in Samoa blue this World Cup after representing the Kangaroos in 2023 and 2024.
It’s a massive boost for the pacific nation, who will have one of the sport’s most dangerous players in their backline as they attempt to improve on their runner up finish four years ago.
Tabuai-Fidow featured for Samoa that tournament, playing in one match before injury struck.
Late last month, Tabuai-Fidow confirmed rumours he would be switching back to represent Samoa again.
Tabuai-Fidow’s father Simon is Samoan.
“Obviously playing for Australia is one of the biggest things I’ve done in my career,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“And I do love the green and gold, but I think there was more to the family side after seeing all the boys, especially Payne Haas, make that move, and I think the Samoan culture, where the heritage is, we’re building something special there for the country and it’s something cool to see.
“I’m excited to put that blue jersey back on again.”
Luca Moretti (PNG)
The Italian-born Moretti joins Eels teammate Jack de Belin on the Kumuls for their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Moretti previously represented Italy at the last World Cup in 2022, playing three matches.
The 26-year-old qualifies to play for PNG through his mother, who was born in Port Moresby.
Valentine Holmes (Cook Islands)
The veteran centre will feature for a new-look Cook Islands squad this World Cup after switching his international allegiance from Australia.
Holmes had been a Kangaroos stalwart between 2016-2023, playing 21 games for Australia.
He is eligible for the Cook Islands through his mother, Lucy.
Holmes trained in the squad during their Pacific Championships campaign last year but didn’t play.
“I made that decision (to play for the Cook Islands) a while ago, so it’s time to give back to my mum’s island,” he told the NewsWire late last year.
“Everyone in my family was proud to see me back there training with them, so it wasn’t a big decision for me.”
Ben Talty (England)
The emerging Broncos middle forward switched his international allegiance to England earlier in the year and months later, on the back of a breakout NRL season, was picked in Brian McDermott’s World Cup squad.
Talty is eligible for England through his maternal grandparents, who were born in the UK.
The late bloomer played in 20 NRL games this season after entering the year with just 10 games under the belt.
Max King (England)
Popular Bulldogs prop and a dual citizen of who essentially picked Australia over England when he was picked for the Blues in 2025.
Under the new relaxed eligibility rules, King was able to switch to England – his country of birth – for international play, meaning he had to give up his Kangaroos eligibility.
It was a decision that paid off, with King selected in England’s squad of 23.
“I’ve always spoken about being English and an Aussie, being a dual citizen,” he said.
“Hanging up that conversation (with coach Brian McDermott), it wasn’t (a tough decision) and it would be such a great opportunity for me and my family.”
Tupou Francis (Lebanon)
A promising forward who was eligible to represent several of the 10 nations at this year’s World Cup, but chose to pick the Cedars.
He’ll join his brother and Gold Coast Titans outside back Tony in the Lebanon squad.
Francis, who is under contract with the Broncos, hasn’t debuted in the NRL yet, but did train with the Tonga aquad during last year’s Pacific Championships.
“Mainly I’m Tongan-Lebanese. If I can represent my dad’s side, I will, but even my Tongan side as well,” Francis told the official Rugby League World Cup website.
“I grew up sort of on both sides so it was pretty even.”
Francis represented the Queensland under 19s side this season, scoring two tries in a dominant performance.
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