Payne Haas Declines Offer to Play for Australia in 2026 Rugby League World Cup

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 3 July 2026 – Payne Haas has declined Kevin Walters’ request to join the Australian national team, the Kangaroos, for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Haas has decided to represent Samoa instead.

“I’m Samoan mate, there’s no way I could turn my back on a country like that. I love Kev, but it’s not something I’d do,” Haas said.

Haas is currently under contract with the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2026 season.

Starting in 2027, he will join the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a three-year deal.

In August 2025, Haas confirmed he would switch his international allegiance from Australia to Samoa.

He explained his decision, saying, “There was a moment playing for Australia against Samoa where the anthems were playing and my mind started racing back to lots of memories with my mum making us sing the Samoan national anthem in the car. From that moment onwards, I wanted to play for Samoa.”

Born in New South Wales, Haas has played four Tests for Australia.

His mother is Samoan, and his father is Filipino-Swiss.

Haas has publicly declared there is no chance he will switch back to Australia.

The next Rugby League World Cup will run from October 15 to November 15, 2026.

Haas’s decision to play for Samoa and represent his mother’s heritage in the premium rugby league tournament.