Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has reaffirmed his commitment to representing Toa Samoa at this year’s Rugby League World Cup, making it clear there will be no return to the Australian Kangaroos.
Haas made headlines last year when he chose to represent Samoa over Australia during the 2025 Pacific Championships, a decision that signaled a powerful commitment to his Samoan heritage. While there had been speculation that the star prop could reverse course ahead of the World Cup, Haas has now shut down those rumors once and for all.
“I made my decision last year to move to Samoa from Australia,” Haas told AAP.
“The kind of person I am, I wouldn’t back flip on them. I want to represent my mum, my grandmother and my granddad as well and there is no way in hell that I would.”
For Samoa, Haas’ decision is a major boost.
Widely regarded as one of the best props in rugby league, the 25-year-old brings world-class experience to a Toa Samoa side looking to build on its historic run to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup Final. Although Samoa fell to Australia in that championship match, the program has continued to establish itself as one of the sport’s emerging international powerhouses.
Haas is expected to lead a star-studded Samoan squad that features NRL standouts Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Jaydn Su’a and Josh Papali’i. Samoa could become even stronger if Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jeremiah Nanai and other dual-eligible stars choose to represent the nation before final squads are finalized.
The only notable absence is expected to be Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
Since making his NRL debut in 2018, Haas has established himself as one of the game’s elite forwards. The Brisbane Broncos enforcer has played more than 150 NRL matches, represented New South Wales in State of Origin on 18 occasions, and earned four Test caps for Australia before switching his international allegiance to Samoa.
His decision is another significant moment in the continued rise of Pacific rugby league, where more elite players are proudly choosing to represent their heritage on the international stage.
With Haas anchoring the forward pack alongside an abundance of NRL talent, Toa Samoa enters the 2026 Rugby League World Cup as a legitimate title contender, with hopes of going one step further after its historic runner-up finish four years ago.
For Samoa, Haas’ message couldn’t be any clearer: his future belongs in blue.
