Payne Haas tells why he chose Samoa over Australia. An Origin winner has taken a similar course
Haas confirmed on Sunday his switch of allegiance to the rising Pacific nation, with high hopes that fellow Australian stars Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow do the same for this year's Pacific Championships.
Tonga's October 26 clash with Samoa at Suncorp Stadium is predicted to draw one of the best Test attendances in decades on Australian soil and outsell the 33,196 who turned out for Australia's win over the Mate Ma'a in Brisbane last year.
Toia's decision to represent his family's Tongan roots does, however, take another outside back option off the table for Australia's three-Test tour of the UK in October and November.
Big names Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic loom as the Kangaroos' first-choice centre pairing for the first Ashes tour since 2003. However, both have been hampered by injury as South Sydney and Manly have struggled this season, and arguments could be made for them focusing on club commitments given their injury histories.
Toia's rise as a rookie of the year contender and an eye-catching debut Origin series keeping Mitchell quiet had him in Kevin Walters' sights, particularly given Stephen Crichton (Samoa), Valentine Holmes (torn rotator cuff) and Campbell Graham are unavailable for Australia.
Like Tabuai-Fidow, Brisbane's Kotoni Staggs is still considering whether he makes himself available for Australia or Tonga at season's end.
Melbourne's Xavier Coates, Canterbury's Matt Burton and Jacob Kiraz, Parramatta's Zac Lomax and Josh Addo-Carr, and Roosters rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase loom as Australia's other leading three-quarter options.
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