IRL approves eligibility change for international rugby league players

The International Rugby League Board has unanimously decided to revise player eligibility rules, allowing individuals to represent nations based on their great-grandparents' birthplace. This rule change is set to take effect for international fixtures next year and aims to strengthen smaller nations' teams, according to IRL chairman Troy Grant. The move responds to calls from figures like Karmichael Hunt, who urged for greater access to a larger pool of players for teams like the Cook Islands. Hunt emphasized the need for experienced players to face larger rugby nations effectively.

• 9:23 PMZero Tackle NRL — IRL to approve major eligibility change in boost for smaller nations