
State of Origin heroes born outside of their state

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25 slides
It's meant to be a game of State versus State, but history shows that's not always how it works out.
Ever since the first Origin game in 1980, eligibility has been a contentious issue. You only have to look at Blues centre Steve Rogers' birth certificate to see he was born in enemy territory.
Debate continues to rage about whether a place like Suva, Fiji, qualifies as Queensland territory, but selectors, players and fans don't seem to worry.
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But if it weren't for some of those creative eligibility rules, some Origin greats would have been lost to the series.
Flick through to see the list of Origin stars born outside the state they proudly represented.

Greg Inglis – Kempsey, New South Wales

James Tamou – Palmerston North, New Zealand

Sam Thaiday – Sydney, New South Wales

James McManus – Banff, Scotland

Billy Moore – Tenterfield, New South Wales

Ben Elias – Tripoli, Lebanon

Josh Papalii – Auckland, New Zealand

Josh Dugan – Tuggeranong, Australian Capital Territory

Michael Crocker – Sydney, New South Wales

Timana Tahu – Melbourne, Victoria

Adrian Lam – Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Peter Sterling – Toowoomba, Queensland

Israel Folau – Minto, New South Wales

Willie Mason – Auckland, New Zealand

Petero Civoniceva – Suva, Fiji

Matt Gillett – Macksville, New South Wales

Tonie Carroll – Christchurch, New Zealand

Ian Roberts – London, England

Brad Thorn – Mosgiel, New Zealand

Robbie O'Davis – Kurrajong, New South Wales

John Hopoate – Nukuʻalofa, Tonga

Paul Bowman – Newcastle, New South Wales

Julian O'Neill – Hornsby, New South Wales

Chris Johns – Brisbane, Queensland
