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Find your frequency hereBroncos superstar Haas confirms defection to Samoa
SEN • August 14th, 2025 2:19 pm
In a huge blow to the Australian Kangaroos, Payne Haas has dropped a bombshell and defected to Samoa.
With just a few weeks to go before Australia coach Kevin Walters selects his squad for the Ashes series in England, the prop has decided to switch his allegiance in a massive coup for Samoa ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
"Where there’s smoke there’s fire, it doesn’t surprise me," Meninga told SEN. "It's fantastic news if you're Samoa they’re setting up for the World Cup.
"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."
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While seeing the upside for the game, Meninga conceded it would come as a huge blow to Walters and would once again put the eligibility rules back on the table.
"It's disappointing for the green and gold as he's (Haas) grown up in our system," he said.
"He’s played for Australia. The eligibility rules come into question again.
"He will be disappointed (Walters). He’s coached him at the Broncos. What Kevin said is right; he wants players passionate to wear the Australia jersey."
When it comes to how Haas may have arrived at the decision, Meninga said: "Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton, they’re all great people for our game and they have got great passion for the Samoan jersey.
"I would imagine they have been instrumental in coercing Payne into the Samoan outfit."
