The Kangaroos’ Ashes assault is expected to be dealt a blow with Brisbane Broncos enforcer Payne Haas on the verge of pledging his allegiance to Samoa at the end of the season.
Haas, arguably the best front-rower in the competition, has been in discussions with Samoan Rugby League officials about representing his heritage at the Pacific Championships at the end of the year.
Haas won’t make his decision public until at least after this year’s Origin series and is focusing his attention on leading the Broncos to a premiership.
However, sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity say Haas plans to represent a different part of his heritage in the Pacific Championships.
Haas has been talking with the Samoan Rugby League for the past 12 months and was on the verge of defecting last year before an ankle injury ruled him out of the end-of-season Test matches.
Samoan Rugby League officials declined to comment when contacted and are wary of the Australian Rugby League getting in the front-rower’s ear to convince him not to join the team that lost to the Kangaroos in the 2022 World Cup final at Old Trafford.
No official paperwork has been lodged, nor has Haas spoken to Australia’s coach Mal Meninga about the matter.
It comes as Meninga prepares to lead his team to England for the first Ashes series in 22 years for a three-game series from the end of October.
The Kangaroos have been locked in to play three Tests against England, starting with a Test match at the 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium in London. The remaining two matches will be played at the new home of English Premier League club Everton and Headingley in Leeds.
Haas isn’t the only big-name Australian player considering his international future. Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also in the sights of the Samoan Rugby League.
While he hasn’t committed to playing for Samoa, the front-rower is believed to be weighing up a potential defection despite representing the green and gold on seven occasions. Fa’asuamaleaui made his international debut for Samoa in 2019.
It also comes amid reports that New Zealand coach Stacey Jones is trying to lure Kalyn Ponga away from Australia to represent the Kiwis.
Under NRL rules, Ponga cannot play State of Origin and for a tier-one nation (which New Zealand is) other than Australia. He will be eligible to play for New Zealand if he foregoes Origin – providing he applies for and receives an exemption from the NRL – because he has only represented Australia in a Nines tournament, not a full, 13-a-side Test match.
Samoa is not considered a tier-one nation, which means Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui can represent their respective states and play for Samoa at the end of the year.
Sydney Morning Herald
