The New Zealand Rugby League has welcomed the rule change for State of Origin representation, saying it clarified the question of eligibility.

The issue again reared its head in 2012, after New Zealand-born James Tamou was picked to represent Australia and then NSW, while Kiwi Sam Kasiano turned down Queensland’s overtures only just before the trans-Tasman Test in October.

From 2013, a player can play for NSW or Queensland only if he lived in that state from the age of 13 or is the son of an Origin player.

That player must also be eligible for Australia.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle says the rule change establishes a criterion.

“It’s really clear what the rule is and from our point of view we’re happy,” he said.

“We had a lot of discussions with the NRL on it and the emphasis everybody wanted was that the state of origin was the origin of where the players came from. It’s not State of Residence, it’s State of Origin.”

Doyle said the effect for the Kiwis would be to increase player depth over time.

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot of James Tamou-type players who, with the rule as it was last week, could have played for NSW and Queensland, but in future will not be eligible,” he said.

“They will give the Kiwis a bigger talent pool and you would think that would make them more competitive.”

It would also take the pressure off the likes of Kasiano, who was involved in a long-running saga over his national allegiance.

Doyle said there would still be players who had a choice to make, like someone who was born in New Zealand but moved across the Tasman at a young age, or who was born in Australia but had New Zealand heritage.

“But they would be in the minority,” he said.

“For the Sam Kasianos of the world, it makes it easier.”