Johns and Meninga call out truth of Payne Haas' reported defection from Kangaroos
The news comes as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters. Reports suggest Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are also thinking of playing for Samoa.
Australia appear to have lost the best prop in the game with their front-row depth already being challenged ahead of the tour starting 25 October. While frustrated fans are coming to grips with players switching allegiances, but can still play State of Origin, both Meninga and Johns feels it will only strengthen the international game.
Former Kangaroos coach Meninga spoke about Haas' reported decision and claimed it's exciting for neutral fans. Meninga feels Samoa are putting together a side that could potentially lift the World Cup trophy next year, which will only increase eyeballs on the sport.
"It doesn't surprise me. From an international point of view, it's great news for Samoa. Obviously they are setting up for the World Cup next year, there is no doubt about that. The big attraction about going to Samoa is they are going to be the first Samoan team, that they believe, that is going to win the World Cup. So they have set themselves up quite nicely," Meninga said on SEN Radio on Thursday.
"But it is disappointing from a green and gold point of view...the eligibility rules comes into question again. If you are an internationalist and you want to see more competitive games in the international space, then it is really good news for the Samoan team."
Meninga is certainly supporting the growth of the international game, which has suffered in recent years due to Australia's dominance on the world stage. State of Origin has taken over as the pinnacle of the sport, but there is a big push for the international game to once again become the biggest attraction.
And Johns has echoed the calls from Meninga having suggested Samoa are now a real threat. "How good is it. I think it's fantastic for the international game...when we were young guys, international football was the pinnacle and we have to get back there," Johns said on Thursday afternoon.
"If you had a World Cup next week in rugby league, who could win? Well...New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Tonga and you would say England are outsiders. We are just getting so much depth. I just think it's a great thing."
Johns also felt Fa'asuamaleaui could follow Haas to Samoa. Fa'asuamaleaui claimed he hadn't made up his mind yet and will decide after the NRL season. "I think Tino will follow Payne to Samoa...I think the dominoes have started to fall," Johns added.
Johns feels if you look at the Samoa team it could very well go all the way at the World Cup next year. Samoa currently have stars such as Jarome Luai, Blaize Talagi, Terrell May, Stephen Crichton and To'o in the side. Adding in Haas and potentially Fa'asuamaleaui would make them one of the favourites at the next World Cup.
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Eligibility rules concerns after Payne Haas reports
Unfortunately, Haas' reported switch has raised debate around eligibility rules. Switching allegiances between a tier one and tier two nation has become a controversial issue within the game. However, the argument is State of Origin and the international game is strengthened with as many players getting involved as possible.
Many don't have an issue with the likes of To'o and Crichton playing for NSW and representing Samoa because they never wore the green and gold. Although some fans have an issue with Haas already representing Australia and then making a decision to represent Samoa.
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