Only two years ago, AJ Brimson was playing in a Queensland Maroons jersey with the No.1 on his back.
Now he’s in England colours, preparing to take on what you would normally consider his countrymen – a situation that can only be good for the game.
Much like his NRL career, Brimson’s time in Origin was impacted by injury. He made his debut in game one of the famous 2020 series before a foot problem ruled him out.
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He returned in 2021, playing off the bench in two games before that final appearance in 2023.
AJ Brimson will play for England after representing Queensland. Getty/England Rugby League Twitter
Brimson has been a victim of his club’s roster management too. At the Titans he’s played just about everywhere but it doesn’t take much to work out his best position is fullback.
Unfortunately, the Titans have had Jayden Campbell and Keano Kini come through the system, which has pushed Brimson to centre and five-eighth. And while he’s competent in those spots, you wonder what could’ve been if he just stayed at the back.
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In 2020 he had a back injury, followed by the foot and then a hairline fracture in his jaw late in 2021. A hamstring injury also came in 2023.
Last year he played 13 games before starting this season at five-eighth. By round 11 he was at fullback due to Kini’s injury and in the last game he played centre.
During this season, it was revealed Brimson’s final match wouldn’t be round 27, instead it would be in the Ashes with England.
Brimson’s mother was born in the country, making him eligible.
His decision shows there is definite appetite for players to grow the game internationally. Brimson could’ve easily been sitting by a Gold Coast beach in October, but instead he’ll be in the cold of England.
The switch comes after Victor Radley’s decision in 2022 while Billy Smith was also eligible, although Shaun Wane picked 34-year-old Titans reject Kallum Watkins over him.
Brimson told Sky Sports it was a decision he’d been trying to make for over a year after there was complications around his eligibility because he played for Australia in a 9s tournament. The same issue exists for Kalyn Ponga if he wanted to play for the Kiwis.
“As soon as I was available I made sure I called Shaun Wane and pretty much just asked him what he wants to see out of me in hopes I can make the squad this year,” he said.
England coach Shaun Wane. Getty
Brimson’s call makes him ineligible for any Origin selection moving forward because England is a tier one nation.
It’s a selfless decision considering the riches on offer with Origin where players earn $30,000 per appearance in Origin.
The difficulty of that was put to Brimson by Sky Sports.
“I don’t want to say it was a hard decision, because for me it was an easy decision to hopefully play for England, but you are turning down a lot of things,” he said.
“I did grow up in Queensland and State of Origin is a massive part of the game but for me and my career I’m looking more forward to hopefully trying to represent England.”
Brimson’s admission does come with the fact Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Ponga are now ahead of him for the Maroons in the fullback debate.
It’s hard to see how he would’ve been picked in the future – although he is still only 27.
Brimson’s inability to make the Queensland side became a talking point this week when Aaron Woods criticised England.
“England are getting blokes like AJ Brimson, who can’t make a Queensland squad or Australian team, to go over there and play for them,” he said.
“Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand have a better chance of beating Australia than England.”
It’s an interesting point from Woods considering England completed clean sweeps against Tonga and Samoa in recent series.
England coach Shaun Wane told Nine’s Michael Chammas there will be a “fired up” version of Brimson running out, but not because of Woods.
“I’ve had lots of chats with AJ,” Wane said.
“He’s a champion bloke and he’s trained so well. Things like that, we’ve all got thick skin in this game. You can’t be affected by some of these comments.
“He’ll be fired up, but he’ll have his own reasons, AJ. He’s a great guy.”
Brimson will battle with Jack Welsby for the fullback spot, however Wane previously flagged he could fill a number of roles.
“His best position is fullback and Jack Welsby is a great player but AJ’s a member of a 24-man squad and he’s going to add things,” he told All Out Rugby League.
“He could come off the bench, he can play anywhere and he’s so quick. He’s done a great job for the Titans and stood out … he’s going to be an asset to us, whether he’s going to start or not, it depends.
“But Jack Welsby is my man, he’s done a lot of good things for me for a long period.”
