Right now he may be feeling the Blues, but it seems all hope is not lost for reluctant NSW recruit Luke Keary.
Queensland Rugby League boss Peter Betros has backed a call by Maroons coach Mal Meninga and will pursue the establishment of a State of Origin eligibility appeal process.
Betros said he would lobby the NRL at the end of the season and hopefully open the door for exciting South Sydney half Keary to again be considered for Maroons Origin selection.
"For cases like this one where a player clearly believes he is a Queenslander and doesn't wish to play for NSW, he's got a case that should be heard by the appeal process," Betros told AAP.
Ipswich born-and-raised Keary recently wrote a letter to NRL boss Dave Smith to ask to be considered a Queenslander after he fell under the NSW camp under revised eligibility laws introduced in 2012.
Keary - who moved to Sydney at the age of 10 - was knocked back, prompting Meninga to call for an independent revue to be installed to avoid similar "unfair" cases.
"He wrote a letter to David Smith asking for consideration but basically you are asking for the NRL to overrule itself," Meninga said on the fogs.com.au website.
"It was hopeful at best but really the only option available to him - there is no fairness in that.
"He is a victim of circumstances beyond his own control. There should be some forum where he is able to state his case."
Betros hoped an appeal process would be installed by next season and pursued by the likes of Keary, currently sidelined by injury.
PNG international David Mead also stated his Queensland allegiance but under current rules is considered a Blue, prompting his selection for Country in the recent annual clash with NSW City.
"I agree with Mal, there has to be an opportunity to have an appeal process - that currently doesn't sit in those eligibility rules," Betros said.
"At the moment it is a black and white issue.
"Origin eligibility rules were drawn up in consultation with the state leagues, we had a big say.
"But like any set of rules, until they are put into practice you are not quite sure whether they are going to be 100 per cent successful or not.
"We are hoping at the end of the season we can sit down and review it."
Betros kept his fingers crossed that Keary would eventually be considered a Queenslander.
"He's injured so it is not an issue at the moment but hopefully there are changes and he can appeal," he said.
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