Otesa Pule and Brianna Clark are set to become the first New Zealand internationals to play State of Origin under the NRL's new eligibility rules after being named in the Queensland squad for the April 30 series opener.

Pule and Clark have been regular members of the Kiwi Ferns forward pack since 2022, prohibiting them from playing for the Maroons until the State of Origin eligibility rules were modernised in February.

Under the updated rules, any player who meets the State of Origin eligibility criteria will be able to play State of Origin, regardless of the nation they represent in international fixtures.

Previously, players were required to be eligible to represent Australia or a Tier Two nation as defined by International Rugby League (IRL). The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who represent Tier One nations - and who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria - to now be eligible.

The change reflects the strength of the international game and the significant growth of Rugby League, particularly across the Pacific.

Core State of Origin eligibility criteria remain unchanged:

The player was born in New South Wales or Queensland; or
The player resided in New South Wales or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday; or
The player’s father or mother played State of Origin.

The likes of Addin Fonua-Blake, Casey McLean, Victor Radley, AJ Brimson and Briton Nikora are now set to come under consideration for the men's State of Origin selection.

Clark previously played one Origin for the Maroons in 2021, while Pule represented Queensland Under 19s in 2022.

However, once they decided to represent their New Zealand heritage at Test level they were precluded from playing State of Origin.

Photo: Brianna Clark has welcomed the Origin eligibility change that allows her to play for Queensland and the Kiwi Ferns. @NRL Photos

Clark said she had made her choice to represent New Zealand at Test level over Queensland in Origin but she was excited to now have the chance to play both.

"Always in the back of my head I was (thinking) ‘surely there's going to be a rule change’ because there had been like talks about it … (but) I had accepted my fate and thought ‘that's fine’," Clark said.

"I was representing my nan and my mum by going to the Kiwis – and it means something to you. It's a really cool opportunity to have.

“Here, I represent Queensland for myself, like this is mine, and then, for international football, I can go and express myself through giving back for my mum and my nana.

“It just strengthens the game so much … even if there's only a handful of girls that are actually still eligible for Queensland (and New Zealand)."

The Origin eligibility change coupled with the IRL's decision to scrap the tiering for women's nations has enabled Shannon Mato to switch from the Jillaroos to the Kiwi Ferns at RLWC2026 and other players are set to follow suit.

Mato was not selected for Queensland after suffering a hamstring injury but she may make her Origin return during Game I or Game II after missing last year's series while pregnant.

Olivia Kernick, Kennedy Cherrington and Rima Butler were players named in the 20-strong NSW squad who could choose to play for New Zealand at the World Cup. All have represented Māori All Stars.

NSW Blues coach John Strange, who was also in charge of the Māori Wahine in this year's All Stars game said Origin would help prepare players for the World Cup.

“Oh, you'd have to say so, definitely. Obviously, they'll go back and be judged on their NRLW form. But you'd think in this arena, this is where the pressure is," Strange said.

“Going the other way definitely. You know, how do these people stand up and stack up in this arena? How do they handle their moments when they arrive? I’d definitely say that the national coaches will be looking at this series.”

NSW Blues squad

Coach: John Strange

1. Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)
2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
3. Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters)
4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)
5. Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters)
6. Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters)
7. Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)
8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)
9. Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters)
10. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
11. Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
12. Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)
13. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)
14. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)
15. Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)
16. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)
17. Teagan Berry* (St George Illawarra Dragons)
18. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)
19. Rima Butler* (Sydney Roosters)
20. Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Queensland Maroons squad

Coach: Nathan Cross

1. Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos)
3. Rory Owen (Parramatta Eels)
4. Shenae Ciesiolka (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi* (Gold Coast Titans)
6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu* (Cronulla Sharks)
7. Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans)
8. Makenzie Weale (North Queensland Cowboys)
9. Jada Ferguson (Brisbane Broncos)
10. Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Sienna Lofipo (Gold Coast Titans)
12. Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos)
13. Keilee Joseph (Parramatta Eels)
14. Emma Manzelmann (North Queensland Cowboys)
15. Otesa Pule* (Sydney Roosters)
16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Brisbane Broncos)
17. Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos)
18. Ivana Lolesio* (Gold Coast Titans)
19. Destiny Brill (Brisbane Broncos)
20. Destiny Mino-Sinapati* (Gold Coast Titans)

*yet to play Origin