Latest news with #InternationalRugbyLeague
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Broncos superstar to make big call on Samoa defection
Outgoing Australia coach Mal Meninga says a call by Payne Haas to defect to Samoa will help make international rugby league more competitive. Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop to a change in eligibility, with the Brisbane behemoth set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Under International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation such as Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Haas's decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, featuring a mouth-watering clash against Pacific rivals Tonga in Brisbane. The call will also rule Haas out of representing Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003. 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. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. "It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup," Meninga told SEN. "The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. "If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good." Samoan representative Tommy Talau said his countrymen would be particularly keen for October's clash with Tonga, who boast Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo in their pack. "All the Samoans that will be at that game will be cheering for him. They'll probably be saying, 'It's about time'," said Manly utility Talau. "If (switching allegiances) is what he's decided to do then that's awesome." The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had coached Haas during his tenure at Brisbane. On winning the Kangaroos job, Walters had indicated his hopes of convincing Samoa-eligible players such as Haas, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay put in the Australian set-up. "It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's grown up in our system," said Meninga, who stepped down as Kangaroos coach earlier this year. "(Walters) will be disappointed." Haas represented Australia four times between 2019 and 2023, most recently appearing in the shock loss to New Zealand in the 2023 Pacific Cup final. Outgoing Australia coach Mal Meninga says a call by Payne Haas to defect to Samoa will help make international rugby league more competitive. Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop to a change in eligibility, with the Brisbane behemoth set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Under International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation such as Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Haas's decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, featuring a mouth-watering clash against Pacific rivals Tonga in Brisbane. The call will also rule Haas out of representing Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003. 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. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. "It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup," Meninga told SEN. "The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. "If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good." Samoan representative Tommy Talau said his countrymen would be particularly keen for October's clash with Tonga, who boast Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo in their pack. "All the Samoans that will be at that game will be cheering for him. They'll probably be saying, 'It's about time'," said Manly utility Talau. "If (switching allegiances) is what he's decided to do then that's awesome." The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had coached Haas during his tenure at Brisbane. On winning the Kangaroos job, Walters had indicated his hopes of convincing Samoa-eligible players such as Haas, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay put in the Australian set-up. "It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's grown up in our system," said Meninga, who stepped down as Kangaroos coach earlier this year. "(Walters) will be disappointed." Haas represented Australia four times between 2019 and 2023, most recently appearing in the shock loss to New Zealand in the 2023 Pacific Cup final. Outgoing Australia coach Mal Meninga says a call by Payne Haas to defect to Samoa will help make international rugby league more competitive. Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop to a change in eligibility, with the Brisbane behemoth set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Under International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation such as Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Haas's decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, featuring a mouth-watering clash against Pacific rivals Tonga in Brisbane. The call will also rule Haas out of representing Australia in the first Ashes tour since 2003. 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. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. "It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup," Meninga told SEN. "The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. "If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good." Samoan representative Tommy Talau said his countrymen would be particularly keen for October's clash with Tonga, who boast Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo in their pack. "All the Samoans that will be at that game will be cheering for him. They'll probably be saying, 'It's about time'," said Manly utility Talau. "If (switching allegiances) is what he's decided to do then that's awesome." The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had coached Haas during his tenure at Brisbane. On winning the Kangaroos job, Walters had indicated his hopes of convincing Samoa-eligible players such as Haas, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay put in the Australian set-up. "It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's grown up in our system," said Meninga, who stepped down as Kangaroos coach earlier this year. "(Walters) will be disappointed." Haas represented Australia four times between 2019 and 2023, most recently appearing in the shock loss to New Zealand in the 2023 Pacific Cup final.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Broncos superstar to make big call on Samoa defection
Outgoing Australia coach Mal Meninga says Payne Haas' call to defect to Samoa will make international rugby league more competitive. Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop with a change in eligibility, with 25-year-old Haas set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation that Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Per International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation like Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Brisbane behemoth Haas' decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, also ruling him out of Australia's Ashes tour. 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. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. 'It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup,' Meninga told SEN. 'The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. 'If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good.' The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had previously indicated his hopes of convincing Haas, Jeremiah Nanai and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay put in the Australian set-up. 'It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's grown up in our system,' said Meninga, who stepped down as Kangaroos coach earlier this year. '(Walters) will be disappointed.'
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NRL superstar Payne Haas turns back on Australia to join Samoa
Outgoing Australia coach Mal Meninga says Payne Haas' call to defect to Samoa will make international rugby league more competitive. Reports on Thursday linked the NRL's best prop with a change in eligibility, with 25-year-old Haas set to begin preferencing his Samoan roots over the Kangaroos in future international fixtures. It comes after months of speculation that Haas could join the likes of Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai as superstar players to have chosen Samoa over Australia in recent years. Per International Rugby League rules, a player eligible for a tier-one nation like Australia and a tier-two nation such as Samoa can change allegiance provided they do not represent both teams in the same calendar year. Brisbane behemoth Haas' decision would clear him to be available for the post-season Pacific Championships, also ruling him out of Australia's Ashes tour. 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. Having Haas on deck for the 2026 edition of the tournament would strengthen Samoa's case for a first World Cup trophy. 'It's fantastic news if you're Samoa, they're setting up for the World Cup,' Meninga told SEN. 'The attraction for going to Samoa is they believe they will be the first Samoan side to win the World Cup. 'If you're wanting to see more competitive games in the international space then it's really good.' The news looms as a blow for new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who had previously indicated his hopes of convincing Haas, Jeremiah Nanai and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay put in the Australian set-up. 'It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's grown up in our system,' said Meninga, who stepped down as Kangaroos coach earlier this year. '(Walters) will be disappointed.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Door ajar for Reece Walsh as Kalyn Ponga could be banned from entire Origin series
Kalyn Ponga has reportedly been spotted meeting with International Rugby League boss Troy Grant in a move that could spell the end of his State of Origin career. Ponga scored the match-winning try in golden-point against Manly on Thursday night, and probably did enough to retain his spot for the Maroons in Origin 2. The fullback had 19 runs for 191 metres, five tackle breaks and the winning try as Newcastle came back to beat the Sea Eagles 26-22. And while he may have done enough to retain his spot in Game 2, his future in State of Origin has been thrown into massive doubt. is reporting that Ponga has recently seen in a meeting with IRL boss Grant, in what was most likely a discussion about switching his international allegiances from Australia to New Zealand. Ponga has always been bound to play for Australia at international level because represented the Aussie team at the Rugby League World Cup 9s event in 2019. However he's never played a Test match for the Kangaroos, and has constantly avoided making a call that would rule him out of playing for NZ. It's believed Ponga hasn't wanted to turn his back on the possibility of playing for the Kiwis one day because of his Maori heritage. The IRL recently changed the rules and allowed AJ Brimson to switch allegiances from Australia to England. Brimson had been bound by the same situation that Ponga was in that he too played for Australia at the World Cup 9s event in 2019. But the IRL - headed by Grant - recently approved Brimson's application to represent England and declared the World Cup 9s event was no longer a relevant factor. The IRL said because the 9s event has effectively been discontinued, it doesn't hold any standing anymore and was "unfairly" blocking players from featuring at Test level. 'At the time, the 9s World Cup was part of IRL's calendar planning and it was intended to be held every four years,' a statement from the IRL read. 'However, the tournament has effectively been discontinued and is not part of IRL's medium term planning. 'Therefore, the tribunal felt that players who had played in the 2019 World Cup 9s were being unfairly restricted as they elected for their country based on a different set of circumstances to players who elect for a country through a 13-a-side match.' The rule change effectively opens the door for Ponga to play for New Zealand if he so wishes. And the fact he was recently spotted meeting with Grant has fuelled the rumour mill that he wants to play for the Kiwis. But a switch in international allegiances would bring an end to Ponga's Origin career. Because New Zealand are a Tier 1 nation, anyone who represents the Kiwis isn't allowed to play State of Origin. It's the same for Brimson, who has ultimately ended his Origin career with Queensland by defecting to England. RELATED: Cameron Smith's truth bomb for Billy Slater after 'weak' accusation Kevin Walters calls out Broncos amid sad Adam Reynolds situation Ponga is likely to see out this year's Origin series for the Maroons, but a switch to represent New Zealand next season would mean Billy Slater will have to find a new fullback for Queensland. It opens the door for Reece Walsh to reclaim the spot he lost this year, while Slater also has the option of using Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the No.1 jersey.
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
NRL goes for gold, kicks off 2032 Games inclusion bid
Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said.
