Family detail emerges after Queensland player banned for entire Origin series
AJ Brimson has opened up on his decision to switch allegiances from Australia to England - a call that has ended his State of Origin career and seen him banned from representing Queensland ever again. Last month, the International Rugby League (IRL) approved Brimson's application to make himself available for England.
In a situation similar to that of Kalyn Ponga, Brimson had been bound to represent Australia at international level because he played on the Aussie team at the Rugby League World Cup 9s event in 2019. But the IRL ruled that the World Cup 9s is no longer relevant because it's effectively been discontinued, and was "unfairly" restricting players from featuring at Test level.
With Brimson's chances of playing for the Kangaroos an extreme long shot, he decided to switch allegiances to England due to his mother's heritage. But it means his State of Origin career is over because England is a Tier-1 nation.
Anyone who represents England or New Zealand is banned from playing Origin, meaning Brimson won't be adding to his four career games for the Maroons. With Kalyn Ponga, Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ahead of him in the pecking order, Brimson probably thought his Origin career was over anyway.
But the axing of Daly Cherry-Evans as halfback opened up a spot on the bench when Tom Dearden was promoted to the starting side for Game 2. Whether or not Brimson would have been a shot for that bench role remains to be seen, but some had speculated he could have been in contention had he not switched allegiances to England.
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But speaking over the weekend, the 26-year-old said he has no regrets and wants to make his mother and family proud. "I am obviously a very proud Queenslander. I grew up in Brisbane and my dream was to play Origin but I also grew up with a mum and family from England," said Brimson, whose mother Vanessa is English.
"I always thought it would be great if I could get the chance to represent both sides of the family because I am very proud of my English heritage as well. I am 27 (in September) ... I am getting on. It is something I've wanted to do for a while, play for England, so I will be putting my hand up to try to play for them this year and going forward."
Brimson said he and partner Brooklen want their young son Beckham to understand his heritage. "My son is called Beckham so he has got a bit of English heritage as well," Brimson said.
"It would be cool for my son to see me play for England. I want him to know his heritage as well. It's always hard when you say you can't be eligible for Origin being a Queenslander but the opportunity to play for England is something I couldn't pass up.
"It's a big decision to make. You don't take it lightly. Origin is something that is very important to me. I have got all my kit and have got my kid dressed in Queensland gear on Origin (night). Nothing is taking away my passion for Queensland but when you have got parents from different countries, you've got two heritages."
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With England and Australia set to battle in the revamped Ashes series later this year, Brimson said it was an opportunity he couldn't refuse. "(The Ashes) would be insane to be a part of, especially over there. I have family over there that would love to see me play," he said. "I will try and get picked and I will play any position that the coach wants me. I want to make my England debut and the World Cup is something that is on the cards as well."
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