'I wouldn't do that': Jahrome Hughes rules himself out of potential Origin debut despite rule changes

Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has ruled himself out of playing State of Origin football in the future, despite changes to the format's eligibility rules.

Hughes was one of the names linked with Origin this week after the NRL introduced a new rule to allow players from tier one nations - England and New Zealand - to represent Queensland or NSW if they fit the rest of the criteria.

While it's unclear whether Hughes would be eligible, given uncertainty over whether he arrived in Australia before his 13th birthday, it's not going to matter either way.

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Speaking on the 167 Podcast alongside Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, the former Dally M Medal winner explained why he would decline the opportunity, despite the potential to earn $90,000 across the three Origin games.

"I'll give you this exclusive - I'm not gonna play Origin," Hughes said.

"It doesn't matter if I'm eligible or not. I would only play for a cash grab and I wouldn't do that. I feel like Origin is such a good game or spectacle, because they are so proud.

"You look at Mun, he is a proud Queenslander, he would die for that jersey.

"If I put a Queensland jersey on, I just wouldn't have that same passion as if I put on the Kiwi or Maori jersey, or even a Storm jersey."

The 31-year-old was born in Wellington and has played 10 matches for the Kiwis, but moved to Queensland in 2008 and attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

He made his NRL debut with the Titans in 2013, before a three-year gap until his next game with the Cowboys in 2016.

Hughes then signed with the Melbourne Storm for the 2017 season, where he has become one of the game's elite players and won a premiership in 2020.