Payne Haas commits to Samoa, joining wave of Pacific stars choosing heritage over Kangaroos
Brisbane Broncos front-rower Payne Haas has officially pledged his allegiance to Toa Samoa, delivering a major boost to the Pacific nation ahead of the 2025 Pacific Championships and the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Haas, widely regarded as the best prop in rugby league, described the decision as deeply personal and long overdue.
“There was a moment when I played for Australia, when we versed Samoa in Townsville. The anthems were playing, and my mind raced back to lots of memories with my mum and making us sing the national anthem of Samoa in the back of the car,”
He said. “I think from that moment onwards I wanted to play for Samoa and represent my mum's side, the Taufua side, and really make them proud, and my grandparents as well.”
The 25-year-old has played four Tests for Australia and is a New South Wales Blues mainstay, but says the time is right to wear the Samoan jersey. “I was grateful to be able to pull on the green-and-gold jersey but I think the time is right for me to represent my family, my mum,” Haas said.
Haas joins a growing list of Pasifika superstars who have turned their backs on Australia or New Zealand to represent their heritage on the international stage. The shift began when Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita stunned the rugby league world by pledging to Tonga at the 2017 World Cup — a move that reshaped the landscape of international rugby league. Since then, stars like Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu have committed to Samoa, while Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands have also benefitted from players proudly embracing their roots.
Haas himself credits Taumalolo’s decision as a turning point.
“Jason Taumalolo paved the way for us next generation, to be honest, and he is someone that inspired me to make the move as well so I feel like playing Tonga here is fitting,”
he said of Samoa’s highly anticipated October 26 clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Samoa stunned the rugby league world in 2022 when they became the first Pacific nation to reach a World Cup final. With Haas now in their ranks, belief is growing that they can go one better in 2026.
“I feel like we can win it, especially with the team we have got now,” Haas declared. “We will focus on the Pac Champs this year, but that is the main goal.”
Toa Samoa coach Ben Gardiner welcomed Haas with open arms: “We’re excited to welcome Payne into the Toa Samoa family. He’s a proven performer on the biggest stages and we can’t wait to see him in blue.” Rugby League Samoa president Fiu Ponifasio Vasa added, “Having a player of Payne’s standing in the game pledging for Samoa means so much to our people in Samoa and the wider Samoan community around the world.”
For Haas, the decision is about more than football. It is about family, culture and honouring the legacy of those who came before him. “I grew up around my grandparents a lot on my mum's side and my uncle played for Toa Samoa as well. I remember always watching him do the Siva Tau and I always wanted to do it, and I used to always do it in front of the TV. I get my moment now to play for Samoa, it's something I have always wanted to do and I am just privileged and blessed to be here now.”