In a significant development for international rugby league, star forward Payne Haas has announced his decision to switch his national allegiance from Australia to Samoa. This transition comes as Haas, who has represented Australia in four Test matches, embraces his Samoan heritage, highlighting a trend among players that could reshape the sport’s landscape ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Haas’s choice echoes a pattern that began in 2017 when Jason Taumalolo made headlines by opting for Tonga over New Zealand. Taumalolo cited a desire to inspire young Tongan athletes as a key reason for his decision. Haas expressed a similar sentiment, recalling the emotional experience of singing the Samoan national anthem during a match. “There was a moment playing for Australia against Samoa… and from that moment onwards I wanted to play for Samoa,” he stated.
The motivations behind these moves extend beyond sports. Research into Pasifika identity in rugby league reveals that for many players, switching allegiances is rooted in cultural and spiritual responsibilities. The act of representing a heritage nation is a way to honour ancestors and contribute to the community that shaped them. Haas’s journey reflects a deeper quest for identity rather than being perceived merely as a “defector” from one national team to another.
Changes to eligibility rules in 2016 have facilitated this fluidity. Unlike other sports, where players are often bound to the country of their first competitive match, rugby league allows athletes to switch their national representation, particularly between Tier 1 (Australia, New Zealand, England) and Tier 2 nations. This flexibility stands in stark contrast to the more rigid structures seen in sports such as soccer and rugby union.
As these athletes navigate their choices, a key question arises regarding participation in State of Origin matches. Traditionally viewed as a pathway to Australian team selection, State of Origin could become a complicated aspect for players like Haas. Of the 34 participants in the recent State of Origin game, over a dozen are likely to represent Samoa or Tonga in the upcoming Pacific Championships, raising concerns among administrators about the event’s commercial viability. State of Origin accounts for approximately 20% of rugby league’s total commercial revenue, making its status a priority for the National Rugby League (NRL).
The potential impact of Haas’s switch and others like it could invigorate international rugby league, a sport historically dominated by Australia, which has won nine of the ten World Cups since 1975. Recent performances, including Samoa’s appearance in the 2021 World Cup final, signal a shift in competitive dynamics. The 2024 Pacific Championships featuring Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga attracted a total audience of 6.2 million viewers in Australia, reflecting a significant increase and indicating growing interest in international matches.
At the same time, the emergence of a vibrant international women’s rugby league scene, with 48% of NRLW players identifying as Pasifika or Māori, contributes to this cultural movement. Celebrations following recent successes of teams like Tonga and Samoa have captured the attention of expatriate communities, showcasing the pride these nations take in their heritage.
Rugby league’s flexible eligibility rules resonate with Australia and New Zealand’s diverse populations. As of 2024, 31.5% of Australia’s population and 28.8% of New Zealand’s were born overseas, making it one of the most multicultural regions globally. In 2025, 52% of NRL players identified as Pasifika, with additional representation from Māori and Indigenous communities. This diversity emphasizes the need for rules that reflect players’ lived experiences rather than rigid national identities.
While the NRL originally designed eligibility rules to maintain competitive integrity, the reality of a multicultural, mobile player base suggests a need for reevaluation. The current structure creates contradictions, where players can represent both Samoa and New South Wales, yet those with ties to New Zealand or England cannot do the same.
Embracing flexible eligibility rules can offer rugby league a unique opportunity to reflect its cultural diversity. As other sports face challenges in retaining Indigenous representation, rugby league’s multiculturalism may emerge as its most significant strength.
Dr. David Lakisa, founder of Talanoa consultancy, contributed insights to this article. The authors have no affiliations or financial interests in organizations that could benefit from this discussion.
