England have been dealt a big blow ahead of this year’s Rugby League Ashes with a form forward opting to play State of Origin instead.
That man is Max King with the Canterbury Bulldogs prop eligible to represent England on account of him being born in Huddersfield, with his mother also being English.
His dad played in England before returning Down Under when Max was seven and that upbringing has seen King become a proud New South Welshman, and he’s now earned his first ever State of Origin call-up.
That effectively kills any chance of him representing England with players from Tier One nations other than Australia (New Zealand and England) being ineligible for State of Origin. King can still represent England but doing so would prevent him ever playing for New South Wales again.
King has been one of the form props in the NRL this season with the Bulldogs topping the table after eleven rounds and the 28-year-old has been key to that success.
Shane Wane dealt rugby league Ashes blow as New South Wales call up England-eligible prop
With State of Origin game one around the corner, New South Wales have named their squad and King is in it which is a major blow for Shaun Wane and England who would have surely considered the Canterbury man.
Previously, King had told Wide World of Sports that he was undecided on who he would represent, even going as far as to effectively put Laurie Daley and Shaun Wane up against each other.
He stated: “My phone is on. I always say whoever calls me first but it hasn’t rung for anything.
“I always say the same thing: my mum is English and her side would love for me to play. My dad is an Aussie and he’d love for me to do something there.”
Instead of possibly contesting one of the fiercest international rugby league rivalries, King will now take on the biggest non-international rivalry when he lines up for New South Wales against Queensland.
Your @Westpac NSW Blues for Game I 😤#MadeForMore pic.twitter.com/pnQ1DBMHyX
— NSWBlues (@NSWBlues) May 18, 2025
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