4 days ago
Brisbane Broncos star defects from Australia
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Payne Haas has sensationally defected from Australia.
The Broncos prop has made a call to knock back his chance to ever wear a Kangaroos jersey again, instead making a decision to play for Samoa at international level.
As first reported by Code Sports, Haas has privately informed a number of Samoan players he will be playing with them during this year's Pacific Championships.
It is a hammer blow to the Kangaroos jersey and for new coach Kevin Walters just weeks after his appointment was confirmed.
Payne Haas. Photo by.
Haas' decision to play for Samoa is yet another hammer blow to the Green and Gold jersey with a number of other superstar players electing not to represent their country.
The NSW State of Origin forward has been processing his decision for a number of months.
Keeping Haas in the Green and Gold was widely seen as Walters' first priority after taking the job.
His next job will be to stop Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui from switching to Samoa at international level.
Haas' NSW teammates Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Steve Crichton already represent Samoa, and they will be hopeful more players will join them ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Walters' Kangaroos begin their Tour of the UK on October 25.
Walters is only contracted until the end of the year.
The former Queensland coach said last month he intended to sit down with
Haas.
Payne Haas at broncos training at Red Hill . Pic Annette Dew
'In time I will but that's probably not a conversation for today,' Walters said.
'I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating (defecting), I totally understand their situation but let's get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they're at with that.
'We'll move forward from there. One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there's great talent. We know that.
'If some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we've got plenty of depth here in Australia.'
He said he would respect players if they choose not to play for Australia.
Rugby league icon and former Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said last month Walters should not feel compelled to chase any players that did not want to play for Australia.
'They (Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow) are all great players but there are other players who are just as good,' Meninga said on SEN radio in Queensland.
'We've just got to see what their view is first because if you understand their view, then you understand what you need to do to move forward.
'All those traditions that Pacific Island teams have is alluring to players, so we've got to provide a similar type of environment around what is an Aussie and who do we represent and what do we celebrate.'
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos star defects from Australia
