Why Payne Haas QUITTING the Kangaroos is a good thing: Immortal Behaviour Ep21
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ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Payne Haas changes allegiance to Samoa ahead of next year's Rugby League World Cup
Payne Haas has delivered a boost to Samoa and a blow to Australia ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, confirming his change of allegiance to the Pacific nation. On Sunday, Haas met the media in Brisbane and posed with a Samoan flag at the announcement of his decision. "There was a moment when I played for Australia and we versed Samoa and the anthems were playing, and my mind started racing back with lots of memories with my mum making us sing the national anthem of Samoa 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, the Taufua side, and really make them proud. My grandparents as well. "[Family and culture] mean the world to me. My uncle Mark [Taufua] played for Toa Samoa as well. "I remember always watching him do the [Samoan war dance] Siva Tau, and I always wanted to do it, and used to do it in front of the TV. "I get my moment now to play for Samoa. It's something I've always wanted to do and I'm just privileged and blessed to do so." The Brisbane Broncos star is of Samoan, Swiss and Filipino descent. He has played four Tests for Australia, scoring one try. Four months ago, Haas told the media that he was considering changing his allegiance from Australia to Samoa. He has also represented New South Wales 17 times in State of Origin, and is a four-time Dally M Prop of the Year. The move is a significant boost for Samoa, who underlined their status as a new powerhouse of international rugby league by making the World Cup final in 2022, losing to Australia. Toa Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner welcomed Haas's decision to declare for the Pacific nation. "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." Rugby League Samoa president Fiu Ponifasio Vasa echoed Gardiner's support for the move. "It's been a dream to have all our sons of Samoa from the NRL represent their heritage and Payne's decision will inspire many." International rugby league rules state that players eligible for a tier-one nation like Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can switch allegiance as long as they do not play for both nations in the same calendar year. The move makes Haas eligible to play for Samoa in the Pacific Championships following the NRL season. His decision means he will be unavailable for Australia's Ashes tour of England. Samoa will play New Zealand in Auckland on October 19 in a big start to their Pacific Championships campaign, before facing Tonga at Lang Park seven days later.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Payne Haas' Kangaroos defection confirmed after ‘smoke and mirrors' comment
Rugby League Samoa on Sunday confirmed Payne Haas will defect from Australia, pledging his allegiance to Samoa in the process ahead of the looming Ashes tour and next year's Rugby League World Cup. Haas was interviewed following the Broncos' 38-28 win over the Dolphins on Saturday night and describing the media reports on his looming defection as 'smoke and mirrors'. 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? Join now and get your first month for just $1. 'I haven't announced anything publicly. It's all smoke and mirrors at the moment,' Haas said. 'Personally I haven't said anything so it's been a bit of media speculation but hopefully something will come out soon.' Well, something did come out soon with the Samoan national team releasing a statement on Sunday morning confirming the news. 'We're excited to welcome Payne into the Toa Samoa family,' coach Ben Gardiner said. 'He's a proven performer on the biggest stages and we can't wait to see him in blue.' Rugby League Samoa president Fiu Ponifasio Vasa, meanwhile, said Haas' decision would 'inspire' many. 'Having a player of Payne's standing in the game pledging for Samoa means so much to our people in Samoa and the wider Samoan community around the world,' he added. CODE Sports first reported the news on Thursday, claiming that Jeremiah Nanai had also confirmed his defection, having played for Australia in 2022 but then Samoa last year. Haas has played just four Tests in green and gold but was Australia's leading front-rower. He will now be in action for Samoa at this year's Pacific Championships, rather than heading to England with the Kangaroos. CODE reported that Haas had informed Samoa players of his switch and could debut on October 19 against New Zealand in Auckland. The decision will put even more scrutiny on current eligibility laws around State of Origin and international allegiance, with Haas a NS Blues mainstay. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have also been touted to switch allegiance to Samoa, which would further strip the Kangaroos of talent at a critical time in the international calendar. Like Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui was also asked about his international future on Saturday, but said he'd 'worry about it' down the track. 'No. I've been in rehab. It's pretty hard to think about football when you're not playing football' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'I just want to get back out there and play well for the Titans and worry about that later on.' Walters told CODE that he had spoken to the trio but not tried to force them into playing for Australia. 'I totally respect their decision and I'm not trying to force them to play for the Kangaroos,' he said. 'I've certainly spoken to them about myself and the Kangaroos and got my point across, so I'm happy with that 'I'm very happy with the way it was received and now they just need to get back playing now and get themselves back in top form.'
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Round 7: Warriors v Raiders Match Highlights
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