\n
\n
\n
![\"Jeremiah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/66796480_nanaij-faasuamaleauit-papaliij-220713_sd_11969_202271402536-3.jpg\"\/)
\n
\n
\n Jeremiah Nanai hopes Queensland Origin team-mate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will return to Samoa for the Pacific Championships and World Cup.
\n \u00a9Scott Davis\/NRL Photos
\n
\n <\/p>\n
For Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai, the chance to represent Samoa is about family, culture and following in the footsteps of those who changed the international game.<\/p>\n
Nanai made the call last year to wear the blue of Samoa after featuring in two Tests for Australia in 2022, and he hasn\u2019t looked back.<\/p>\n
Now, with Payne Haas confirming he will also pledge his allegiance to Samoa for the next two years, Nanai is buzzing at the thought of running out alongside one of the world\u2019s best forwards.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Jeremiah Nanai hopes Queensland Origin team-mate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will return to Samoa for the Pacific Championships and World Cup.
\n \u00a9Scott Davis\/NRL Photos
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited to have Payne Haas come represent Samoa,” Nanai told NRL.com. “Hopefully we get a good team together and it\u2019ll be great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haas joins Nanai, Cowboys team-mate Murray Taulagi and Warriors superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in making the switch; part of a growing movement of tier-one stars choosing heritage over the Kangaroos or Kiwis.<\/p>\n
It echoes Jason Taumalolo\u2019s ground-breaking decision in 2017 to represent Tonga, a moment widely seen as the catalyst for the rise of Pacific nations, including Samoa, who qualified for the World Cup final in 2022.<\/p>\n
Nanai admits Taumalolo, his Cowboys teammate and idol growing up, helped inspire his own decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely it did. Growing up, I was watching him; he was one of my favourite idols,\u201d Nanai said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he moved from New Zealand to Tonga to represent his country, that made me feel like I can do it too. It makes other boys think that way as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther boys coming through don\u2019t always have to play for Australia; there are other teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Nanai, pulling on the Samoan jersey for the first time last year was a career highlight and a chance to honour both sides of his family.<\/p>\n
\n 599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
\n data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
\n ref=”root”
\n ><\/p>\n
\n
\n Up Next
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n \/
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Replay
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Play Next
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jeremiah Nanai Try<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a big move, but I just felt in my heart I wanted to play for Samoa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter I represented Australia I wanted to represent my dad and my mum\u2019s side too. It was good to play for Samoa in that series in England, and I can\u2019t wait to do it again this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speculation continues around whether Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui could follow suit, but for now, Nanai is simply focused on what Haas brings to the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely up to Tino, wherever his heart goes, I\u2019ll back him, whether it\u2019s Australia or Samoa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“But if he does come back and play for Samoa, I\u2019ll be excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n 599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
\n data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
\n ref=”root”
\n ><\/p>\n
\n
\n Up Next
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n \/
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Replay
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Play Next
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
M\u0101ori and Pasifika Pioneers: Jason Taumalolo<\/p>\n
The stage is set for another massive Pacific Championships clash later this year, with Samoa to face Tonga at Suncorp Stadium on October 26.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Nanai, it will be a special occasion as he takes on Cowboys teammate Taumalolo for the first time at international level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to play against him, it\u2019ll be my first time,\u201d Nanai said. \u201cHopefully we\u2019ll get a really good match.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Taumalolo, now 32, continues to make his mark despite an injury-interrupted season, Nanai has stepped up in his absence for the Cowboys, scoring eight tries and cementing his status as a leader of the next generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to have him back on deck again. He brings confidence to our team,\u201d Nanai said.<\/p>\n
As the international calendar grows in stature, Nanai believes more players will continue to follow their hearts, strengthening the global game in the process.<\/p>\n