Rule change slams door on Kiwi Ferns' short-lived Origin stint

Leading women players from NSW and Queensland have backed the decision to exclude current and former Kiwi Ferns representatives from the Origin arena after three players from last year's inaugural fixture were officially ruled out of future selection.

Queensland pair Maitua Feterika and Rona Peters won't be eligible to play for the Maroons on June 21, while NSW have lost the services of Kiwi Ferns hooker Nita Maynard.

The women's interstate fixtures in the past centred around the residency rule with Feterika and Maynard living in their respective states over the past 1-3 years to qualify for selection.

Both states agreed to wipe the rule in April, informing the trio they would no longer be considered for selection given their past and present international commitments made them ineligible to represent Australia.

Feterika and Maynard played in the Origin match before representing the Kiwi Ferns in October.

"I've played a lot of footy with Nita and I know she was disappointed when she heard she wasn't eligible to play," NSW outside back Corban McGregor told pan66.com.

"Whether they went this way or did it gradually I think it had to happen eventually. In the long run it's the right call because you want to be on the same page as the men.

"That's how it works for them and that's how it should be for us."

The toughest hit was Broncos representative Peters, who represented New Zealand for over a decade from 2003 but retired in 2015 and moved to Brisbane four years ago.

She has represented the Maroons on four occasions but is now considered ineligible despite no current or future commitments to NZRL.

Queensland halfback Ali Brigginshaw thought Peters was one that could've been considered an exception.

"It's disappointing for Rona especially," Brigginshaw said.

"She left New Zealand and forged her name here. She had that Queensland passion and really adapted to what we have and how we are.

"There's young talent coming through and we understand there are rules and things will happen for a reason. I'm excited for the girls coming through."

Feterika and Peters have been named for the Queensland SEQ Team to compete at the Harvey Norman National Championships next week but a QRL spokesperson said the pair could only do so in a bid to secure a future NRLW contract.