International rugby league is changing — and for the better if this predicted Samoa team for the 2025 Pacific Championships is anything to go by.
Head coach Ben Gardiner and Samoan rugby league bosses have made a big push to recruit a number of stars with Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jeremiah Nanai and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in their scopes.
Gardiner firstly was successful is his pursuit of Nanai, and then came the big fish, with Haas committing to represent his heritage in a sliding doors moment for the Pacific nation.
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Tabuai-Fidow and Fa’asuamaleaui are yet to make their decisions, but both were included in a star-studded potential Samoa side on Sunday Night with Matty Johns.
POTENTIAL SAMOA TEAM
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Brian To’o
3. Izack Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Jarome Luai
8. Terrell May
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Payne Haas
11. Shawn Blore
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
15. Moses Leota
16. Stefano Utoikamanu
17. Spencer Leniu
Coach: Ben Gardiner
After looking at that team, Matty Johns was bewildered.
“If that side couldn’t win a World Cup tomorrow… it’s great for the international game,” he explained.
However, Nathan Hindmarsh had a different opinion.
“We need to change the rules so they don’t,” he said jokingly.
“We can’t have that… but in all honesty, it’s outstanding. The stronger the other nations are, the better our game is going to be.
“I applaud them, go for it. The Kangaroos will find another Tino or another Payne. We will be right, but let’s strengthen the other sides.”
Johns was also of the belief Haas’ rugby league legacy could be shaped by his decision to defect from the Kangaroos.
Jason Taumalolo’s decision to represent Tonga in 2017 caused controversy at the time, but now with a host of stars following his lead, international rugby league can continue to grow.
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“It’s great for rugby league to continue to cultivate and grow in the Pacific. Those countries like Samoa and Tonga, they are viewed as rugby union nations,” Johns said.
“You would question Tonga a little bit given the impact of Jason Taumalolo. I think that will be his legacy Taumalolo, and it could be Payne’s as well as far as Samoa is concerned.”
When announcing his decision, Haas paid homage to Taumalolo who sparked the conversation regarding players representing their heritage.
“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,” he said.
“So I feel like playing Tonga here is fitting. I just can’t wait to verse them, it is going to be massive.”
As for the reason behind his decision, Haas explained one moment comes to mind.
“There was a moment when I played for Australia, when we versed Samoa in Townsville,” Haas said.
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“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.
“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.”
Kevin Walters, meanwhile, is losing talent week by week, however he remains confident he has the talent to win the 2025 Ashes series.
“Having them play for the Kangaroos would be nice, but I’m certainly not going to force them or try and drag them into the Kangaroos,” Walters said to foxsports.com.au.
“It will be their decision on who they play for and I totally respect whichever way they go.
“If not I’m really confident that regardless of what their decisions are we will have a very strong 22 players heading to England.
“And if they’re part of it well I think that’s sensational, but if they’re not well I totally respect that as well.”
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