Haas delivers Kangaroos dagger blow to Walters in wake of cagey post-match act

Yahoo

13 hours ago

Payne Haas has delivered a huge blow to Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters after confirming his defection to Samoa, ahead of Australia's Ashes campaign later this year. Haas gave a cagey response to claims he'd already decided to turn his back on Australia after being asked about the situation following Brisbane's stirring comeback win over the Dolphins on Saturday night.
'I haven't announced anything publicly. It's all smoke and mirrors at the moment,' Haas told Fox League's Eloise Sohier after the Suncorp Stadium blockbuster. 'Personally I haven't said anything so it's been a bit of media speculation but hopefully something will come out soon.'
On Sunday morning, the speculation around Haas' international allegiance was finally put to bed after Samoa coach Ben Gardiner put out a statement confirming the Kangaroos and NSW prop's bombshell switch. 'We're excited to welcome Payne into the Toa Samoa family,' Gardiner said. 'He's a proven performer on the biggest stages and we can't wait to see him in blue.'
Speaking to reporters a short time later on Sunday, the 25-year-old provided further insight into the reasons behind his international defection. Haas - whose mother is of Samoan heritage - revealed that he'd been weighing up a move since playing a Test for the Kangaroos against Samoa in Townsville in 2023.
"The anthems started playing and my mind started racing back to lots of memories with my mum and making us sing the Samoan national anthem a lot in the back of the car," Haas said. "I think from that moment onwards I wanted to play for Samoa and represent my mum's side... and really make them proud, my grandparents as well... I get my moment to play for Samoa now and it's something I've always wanted to do and I'm just privileged and blessed."
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters loses Payne Haas for Ashes
Walters made it clear that they he'd respect the decisions of any of his Kangaroos players with Pacific Island backgrounds, if they choose to switch national allegiances. The Kangaroos coach insisted he wanted to keep hold of the likes of Haas, as well as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who are also thinking of playing for Samoa.
And Haas says Walters' stance and his relationship with his former Brisbane coach made their conversation about his national switch much easier. "Kevvie was pretty open and he was really good about it," Haas said. "I feel like this is something I've wanted to do for the last few years to represent Samoa so it wasn't hard for me and Kevvie took it well."
However, the news is a massive blow for Walters and the Kangaroos, who have lost arguably the best prop in the game before their end-of-season Ashes series against England, starting in October. And the situation could be even more challenging for the Kangaroos if Maroons stars Tabuai-Fidow and Fa'asuamaleaui follow suit.
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Speaking last week, Matty Johns said he believed 'the dominoes have started to fall' as Haas edged closer to a switch, and suggested Fa'asuamaleaui would 'follow Payne to Samoa'. And he believed their additions could help Samoa lift next year's Rugby League World Cup, joining the likes of Jarome Luai, Blaize Talagi, Terrell May, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o in a star-studded side.
Haas could make his Test debut for Samoa in the Pacific Championships opener against New Zealand on October 19 in Auckland. His defection from the Kangaroos is also likely to spark fresh debate around eligibility laws for State of Origin and Test footy, as Haas has been a mainstay for the Blues in recent years and can continue playing for NSW due to the fact Samoa is a tier-two Test nation.