{"id":796831,"date":"2026-07-13T04:39:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T04:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/796831\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T04:39:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T04:39:12","slug":"payne-haas-shuts-down-talk-of-backflip-from-samoa-to-australia-for-rugby-league-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/796831\/","title":{"rendered":"Payne Haas shuts down talk of backflip from Samoa to Australia for Rugby League World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winning a World Cup<\/a> is the final frontier for Payne Haas and he is fully committed to attempting to do so with Samoa.<\/p>\n

There had been reports the Brisbane prop was considering switching back to Australia for the 2026 tournament, but the 26-year-old has quashed those suggestions.<\/p>\n

Haas, who has Samoan heritage through his mother Joan, committed to Toa Samoa for last year\u2019s Pacific Championships after previously playing four Tests with Australia.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

He starred in a 34-6 win over Tonga before Samoa fell short against New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final.<\/p>\n

The powerhouse front-rower is a man of his word and said there was no way he had considered making himself available for the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made my decision last year to move to Samoa from Australia,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kind of person I am, I wouldn\u2019t backflip 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 (backflip).\u201d<\/p>\n

Haas is already on his way to being recognised as an all-time great, but lifting Samoa to World Cup glory would be a huge achievement and has the potential to raise Pacific rugby league to another level.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup live and free on 7plus Sport<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PaynePayne Haas has been embraced by Samoa supporters since his international allegiance switch. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

Samoa have been drawn in the same pool as France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga for the 10-team tournament to be hosted by Australia, New Zealand and PNG in October and November this year.<\/p>\n

Haas is a key member of a Samoa forward pack that boasts the likes of Francis Molo, Jaydn Su\u2019A, Simi Sasagi, Junior Paulo and Terrell May.<\/p>\n

The backline includes premiership-winning stars Jarome Luai, Brian To\u2019o and Stephen Crichton. Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also committed for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

There is a sense the side can go one better than their 2022 World Cup performance, when beaten by Australia in the final.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the kind of calibre of players we have got there is a great chance, but that is still far away,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my last two months here so I am trying to focus on the Broncs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last week Haas dominated the State of Origin decider for NSW, terrorising Queensland up front in a stunning 30-12 win. It was his third Origin series win when playing all three matches and his second in a decider at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s premiership win with Brisbane ticked that box and Haas also was named the club\u2019s player of the year for a sixth time.<\/p>\n

He is without doubt the Broncos\u2019 greatest player of the decade and a worthy successor to the likes of Glenn Lazarus, Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Brad Thorn.<\/p>\n

Haas will join South Sydney next year, but is fully committed to reviving Brisbane\u2019s spluttering season as they target winning all eight of their remaining matches to give themselves a chance of defending their title.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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