Big love, Payno! - What Luai said on Samoa defection
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Pacific rugby league players 'caught between two worlds' when choosing a national team to represent
Samoan rugby league fans are celebrating the news that one of the game's superstars, Australian Kangaroos front-rower Payne Haas, has switched allegiances. Joining the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Chrichton, and Jarome Luai, 25-year-old Haas has announced he will represent Toa Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships as well as the next Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in both Australia and Papua New Guinea in 2026. Defections like this are a huge boost for tier 2 nations, but it also reminds us that for decades, the best Pacific Island players have often found themselves stuck between two worlds, having to choose between their islander heritage or representing a tier 1 nation like Australia or New Zealand. It's as much a personal choice as it is a professional one, and high-profile Pacific players such as Xavier Coates and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui have received backlash from Pacific footy fans over their decision to play for Australia. Unitec Associate Professor and proud Samoan man Lefaoali'i Dr Dion Enari joined Nesia Daily to unpack the experience Pacific players go through in deciding what jersey to wear.
Canberra Times
14 hours ago
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Big love, Payno! - What Luai said on Samoa defection
"We've obviously got a big job to do for our clubs but hopefully, God willing, all fit and healthy at the back end of the year and we can put on that jersey together (at the Pacific Championships)."
Herald Sun
19 hours ago
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NRL 2025: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui opens up on contract saga, what did he say, will he leave Titans, Sharks defeat Titans, news
Gold Coast star Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has responded to reports he is considering hitting the open market and potentially opting out of his mammoth 10-year Titans deal. Fa'asuamaleaui is under contract until 2033 but has a get-out clause in this contract which, if triggered, allows him to depart the club at the end of next season. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > The Titans are desperate to keep him, but they will have plenty of opposition with veteran journalist Phil Rothfield revealing the Dragons, Bulldogs and Bears are keen to negotiate with the star forward. The incoming Perth Bears are reportedly prepared to offer Fa'asuamaleaui a five-year deal worth $7.5 million. Tino speaks about contract saga The Titans star, who returned from a three-week injury lay-off in their 54-22 loss to the Sharks on Saturday, didn't confirm or deny whether he's looking to exit the club. 'I'm at the Titans. I'm dedicated to playing well for the Titans and my coach,' he said. 'My manager is dealing with that stuff, but I'm here. 'I'm dedicated to the next three weeks and get some wins and some pride in our jersey. 'I just want to get back to playing football, I've been out for the last month so I'm not worried about the external stuff.' Fa'asuamaleaui's NRL future wasn't the only reason he was in the headlines this past week. There are reports circulating Fa'asuamaleaui will follow Payne Haas' footsteps and change his international allegiance from Australia to Samoa. Code Sports reported Haas had informed Samoan players of his switch and could represent the country during the Pacific Championships in October. Fa'asuamaleaui is said to be weighing up the same move, but he refused to give anything away when asked about it in the Titans' press conference. 'No. I've been in rehab. It's pretty hard to think about football when you're not playing football,' he said. 'I just want to get back out there and play well for the Titans and worry about that later on.' Originally published as Titans star Tino Fa'asuamaleaui responds to $7.5m bombshell as call looms
