Another Roosters star pledges his allegiance to England

Billy Smith is poised to follow Roosters teammate Victor Radley in representing England during the coming Kangaroos tour – as it emerged Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also eligible for the Lions.

International eligibility has become a hot topic after Kangaroos forward Payne Haas indicated he will switch to Samoa, with Fa’asuamaleaui considering doing likewise. League officials have indicated the current eligibility rules – which preclude players representing tier-one nations England and New Zealand from being selected for State of Origin – will be reviewed before next year’s World Cup.

Some powerbrokers feel it’s unfair that Radley is blocked from being picked for NSW because he has played for England, at a time when tier-two nations including Samoa and Tonga are often just as strong as tier-one countries Australia, New Zealand and England.

In a huge boost for England as they prepare to host the first Kangaroos Ashes tour since 2003, Smith has told coach Shaun Wane he wants to honour his English heritage by playing in the series.

“Billy Smith contacted me, and I do like it when players contact me to express their desire to represent England,” Wane said. “I’m very grateful for that and, like Victor Radley, it’s a sign that he wants to play for England. It goes a long way.

“I do rate him. I’m a big fan of the NRL and all of the quality athletes playing in it. Billy Smith is one of the best athletes, he’s a great centre and he would be a great asset. I like that he has contacted me, that means a lot and I will be pursuing it.”

Smith made his NRL debut in 2019 but a luckless run of injuries has restricted him to just 40 first-grade appearances. Despite three ACLs, a Lisfranc issue, a serious shoulder injury, a fractured jaw and an ankle complaint, Smith has fought his way into Trent Robinson’s Roosters side.

Wane said he was impressed at how Smith has been able to overcome the setbacks.

“That shows character, which is what I like,” Wane said. “I’m also a big fan of Victor Radley. He’s as close to English as they come in terms of his mannerisms and the way he thinks, his personality. I’d imagine Billy Smith would be the same sort of character.”

Titans star AJ Brimson will also be part of the English squad after an International Rugby League tribunal approved an application for him to switch his allegiance from Australia to England.

Newly appointed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters made speaking with Fa’asuamaleaui one of his top priorities. Those close to the Titans prop say that he is genuinely torn about whether to add to his six appearances in the green and gold or whether to honour his Samoan heritage during the season-ending Pacific Championships.

There could be a third option at some point in the future if the eligibility rules are changed to allow players to switch from one tier-one nation to another. Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager Simon Mammino said his client and brother Iszac also have English heritage.

“Tino and Iszac are eligible to play for Australia, Samoa and England,” Mammino said. “Their grandfather is English. Tino will make a decision at the end of the season.

“England is not a consideration for Tino; however, Iszac would consider pledging his alliance to England, particularly with his imminent move to Super League.”

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could soon have another big decision to make about his future. The 23-year-old signed a mammoth 10-year extension with the Gold Coast until the end of 2033 but a contract option in his favour opens the door for him to join a rival at the end of next year.

St George Illawarra have indicated they are interested in speaking to Fa’asuamaleaui once he becomes a free agent on November 1, while inaugural Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has made no secret of his desire to lure him to Western Australia.

It would take a huge offer to tempt Fa’asuamaleaui from the glitter strip given that ratchet clauses in his deal could result in him earning up to $1.5 million at the Titans.

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