Kevin Walters has made his first move as newly-appointed Kangaroos coach clear — stop Payne Haas from defecting ahead of this year’s Ashes series.

Fears are growing the Australian side is facing a looming exodus of top talent, with the likes of Haas, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui considering a switch to Samoa at international level.

Haas’ NSW teammates Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Steve Crichton already represent Samoa, and they will be hopeful more players will join them ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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However, Walters shapes as a huge drawcard for Haas, with the pair sharing a close bond during their time at the Broncos.

The superstar prop even came desperately close to quitting the Brisbane club, but was reportedly convinced to remain in Red Hill by Walters according to Code Sports.

Now Walters will once again have a crunch meeting with Haas after taking over from Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos coach.

“In time I will but that’s probably not a conversation for today,” Walters said.

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“I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating (defecting), I totally understand their situation but let’s get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they’re at with that.

“We’ll move forward from there. One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there’s great talent. We know that.

“If some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we’ve got plenty of depth here in Australia.”

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday, Walters once again explained should that trio defect and represent Samoa, the Kangaroos have the talent to cover their losses.

“From my side of things, I don’t have a problem if players want to play for other nations. We just need to get it out on the table and work out what they want to do,” he said.

“I will present what I will be doing with the Kangaroos and the opportunities the Kangaroos side provide, and then they can make a decision.

“I totally respect either way, we are very fortunate in Australian rugby league that we have so much talent and depth, we can go pretty deep.

“We will pin it down and see where it takes us.”

Former Kangaroos coach Meninga echoed he successor’s opinion, stating there are other players “just as good” as that trio.

While Meninga said it was “important” for Walters to speak to the three players, he suggested that the new Kangaroos mentor shouldn’t plead for them to play for Australia but simply ask if they wanted to or not.

“That’s my belief,” Meninga told SENQ Breakfast.

“We’re not going to deny that if those players aren’t available, we still haven’t got some great players to take their spots.

“They (Haas, Fa’asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow) are all great players but there are other players who are just as good.

“We’ve just got to see what their view is first because if you understand their view, then you understand what you need to do to move forward.

“All those traditions that Pacific Island teams have is alluring to players, so we’ve got to provide a similar type of environment around what is an Aussie and who do we represent and what do we celebrate.

“We do it a fair bit in the First Nations space, but we also celebrate other cultures as well throughout the (Kangaroo) program.

“We work really hard on that because we know that really appeals to players going back to play for the Pacific nations.”

Meanwhile, Walters also explained he is hopeful of forging a coaching partnership with Cameron Smith, who he is planning to recruit as an assistant.

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Smith and Walters spent time together while the former Broncos mentor was coaching the Maroons, with the gun hooker being Queensland’s captain.

“That (hiring Smith) is something that we’ll have to have a look at,” he said.

“I’m not sure of Cameron’s position at the moment and what he wants to do but he’s been a great leader for the Kangaroos.

“I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland State of Origin team for a few years.

“We’ve got a good relationship. I’ll get my feet under the desk first. There’s a lot of decisions to be made around staff so we’ve got to get that right.