Where is Scotland? That's in NSW. Where is Darwin? In NSW.

Blues' choice a wee bit rich

WHERE is Scotland? That's in NSW. Where is Darwin? In NSW.

After years of whining about Queensland's controversial selections, NSW has again come out with one of the most ridiculous decisions of all time in Knights winger James McManus.

The Scotland-born Territorian has been called in to replace Nathan Merritt, who had his papers stamped after a deplorable Origin debut.

McManus had no link to NSW until he moved to Newcastle after finishing high school in Darwin.

The 27-year-old was scouted at an under-18 national championships carnival while playing for Northern Territory.

Under the reformed Origin eligibility laws, McManus wouldn't be allowed to play because he has not met any of the eight key criteria.

But his sole game in 2009, before the new laws were introduced late last year, means Blues coach Laurie Daley was allowed to select him for this year's decider.

''People from up here are either going for NSW or Queensland,'' said Northern Territory-based John Johnson, a Palmerston Raiders life member and one of McManus's junior mentors. ''He was given the opportunity to play for NSW and it's probably a big thing for him.''

McManus isn't the only Blue to hail from a different state.

Fullback Josh Dugan and forward Ryan Hoffman were born in Canberra. And who could forget prop James Tamou, who was born in New Zealand and played for the Junior Kiwis and New Zealand Maori.

He was part of New Zealand's train-on squad for the 2011 Four Nations before being coerced into switching allegiances to NSW by former coach Ricky Stuart.

''I have a bigger problem with James Tamou,'' said Queensland legend Billy Moore.

''He looks like a Kiwi, talks like a Kiwi and was born in New Zealand. That's the bigger issue.

''The Australian Rugby League (Commission) needs to do something to reinstate international football as the pinnacle for what players should be striving for.

''Some guys play for their country but their biggest regret is never playing Origin and that's not right.''

Queensland isn't immune, with Ben Te'o, Greg Inglis and Josh Papalii creating headline in recent years

Despite growing up in Kempsey, Inglis never held strong ties to NSW, while Papalii passes the current eligibility requirements, having moved to Queensland when he was five.

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