NSW and Panthers star Jarome Luai is on Mal Meninga's radar with the Kangaroos coach to reach out to the five-eighth to play for Australia despite committing to Samoa.
Luai, who currently plays international football for Samoa, impressed in his debut State of Origin series for the Blues and has caught the eye of Meninga.
The Kangaroos coach said he wants Luai to reconsider his international allegiance and commit to Australia.
Under the game's international eligibility laws, players can play Origin and still commit to a tier-two nation for internationals. Players who can't participate in Origin are those who represent tier one nations like England and New Zealand.
Luai, Brian To'o and now Josh Papalii have all expressed their desire to play for Samoa in the World Cup at the end of the year.
"Josh is now 31 and he's at the back end of his career, and he's earned the respect and right to choose who he wants to play for," Meninga told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"But Jarome is at the start of his career and I'd like to think he will make himself available for Australia.
"I've made it known in the past if a player can play Origin, they should then make themselves available for Australia.
"I'm keen to speak with Jarome and let him know what my feelings and thoughts are about the international game. I'm also keen to hear his thoughts and reasons for wanting to play for Samoa. I can tell you he's absolutely in the mix for Australia."
Luai told the Herald last month: "When it comes to international footy you should play for who you feel most drawn to. I was brought up in a Samoan church and household, and I feel close to my Samoan culture. I definitely think we have a lot of talent, and I want to do well for them."
When asked what he would do If Meninga approached him about playing for Australia, Luai said: "I don't really know. All I want is for Samoa to do well."
There's growing doubt the World Cup being staged at the end of the year in England, but if it does go ahead then just seven Queenslanders at this stage would make Meninga's final 23-man cut.
If the World Cup is cancelled, Australia would likely play end-of-season Tests against nations like New Zealand and Tonga.
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