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Cameron Smith's representative retirement caught everybody by surprise, but what will come as an even bigger shock is the revelation Andrew Fifita remains eligible to play for NSW in games one and three of this year's Origin series.

Most assumed Fifita had ditched the Blues entirely this year when he elected to play for Tonga in the Pacific Test. The Test against Samoa will be played just 24 hours before game two of the Origin series against Queensland in Sydney.

Still Blue: Andrew Fifita has committed his international future to Tonga, but it does not make it impossible for him to play for NSW. Credit:NRL Photos

But Fairfax Media can reveal the eligibility rules allow Fifita to still make himself available for the MCG and Suncorp Stadium games – on June 6 and July 11 – provided Brad Fittler and the Blues want him.

Tonga remain a tier-two nation, despite their success at the World Cup where they got within a whisker of a dream final appearance, which means their players can also play for tier-one nations such as England, New Zealand and Australia, and are also eligible for NSW or Queensland.