Big winner from NRL's wild State of Origin shake-up revealed as new door opens for 17 stars

The NRL's decision to shake-up Origin eligibility has added another layer of speculation to the never-ending cycle that is NSW and Queensland team selection chatter.

Even before the new season kicks off each year, fans and commentators will be speculating as to potential bolters or stars who may struggle to hold a spot.

But now there's a host of new players added to the mix thanks to the ARLC's shake-up announced on Monday. You can now play for England or New Zealand - Australia's rival Tier 1 nations - and still represent the Blues or Maroons in Origin.

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AJ Brimson will be back in Maroons contention after representing England last year, and has already signalled his intent to be available for Origin.

On the flip side, Kalyn Ponga can now represent New Zealand despite having previously pledged his allegiance to Australia and Queensland.

Ponga hasn't played for Australia, apart from a 9s match in 2019. He has not confirmed yet that he will definitely play for the Kiwis but suggested last week he plans to switch allegiance before the World Cup at the end of this year.

The 9s part of that is still a hurdle for Ponga, but he will likely be granted permission to switch allegiance since the same happened for Brimson.

Storm centre Jack Howarth is also eligible for New Zealand and Queensland, while Kaeo Weekes is in a similar boat but is NSW aligned.

Max King played for NSW last year and was born in England. Future Queensland representative Sam Walker was also born in England.

He will have a huge decision to make in regards to playing for England, or aiming to succeed Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses as Australia's halfback.

NSW prospect Ethan Strange, who toured with the Kangaroos in England last year, is New Zealand and England eligible too.

Considering a World Cup is just around the corner, England would be crazy not to dangle the carrot in front of those three players.

Young gun Penrith centre Casey McLean is also an interesting watch, given he opted to shun Origin last year and play for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships.

NZRL chief Greg Peters described that as a "brave call" from McLean but said the new opportunity for him to play Origin in the future is "fantastic".

Johnathan Thurston was at Eden Park for the confirmation that Origin will be played in New Zealand next year and stated the eligibility call "is great for the game".

"There is a huge opportunity to grow the game internationally and I hope that is where we put all of our eggs," he said.

"We want the best players playing the game and Kalyn Ponga is a superstar of our game so if he is going to represent New Zealand it will bring more eyeballs to the game and that is what we want.

"It's a huge announcement to change the eligibility rules and I feel that the Commission has got it right."

For players like Jahrome Hughes and Jason Taumololo there will be some contention about whether they can resided in Queensland before their 13th birthday.

If they did, it's a game-changer, particularly around Hughes.

Addin Fonua-Blake is also one of the big benefactors with Laurie Daley now surely considering him for a front-row spot for the Blues.

Daley will also have Roosters lock Victor Radley to consider, after he ditched Origin to play for England several years ago.

Roosters centre Billy Smith has also made himself available for England previously but moving forward won't have to do that with the guilt of missing out on a Blues jersey down the line.

As for boom Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa, he has always been eligible for NSW because he's never represented New Zealand... now he can do both, if he wishes.

Players who can now play Origin:

AJ Brimson - QLD

Jason Taumololo - QLD

Jahrome Hughes - QLD

Briton Nikora - QLD

Victor Radley - NSW

Addin Fonua-Blake - NSW

Casey McLean - NSW

Isaiya Katoa - NSW

Phoenix Crossland - NSW

Jeremy Marshall-King - NSW

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - NSW

Billy Smith - NSW

Kaeo Weekes - NSW

Players who can now play for another country:

Sam Walker - England (QLD)

Ethan Strange - New Zealand or England (NSW)

Max King - England (NSW)

Jack Howarth - New Zealand (QLD)