Family bonds have Haas 'considering' Samoa switch

Family is at the forefront of every choice Broncos powerhouse Payne Haas makes and that will be no different when he weighs up the decision to switch his international representative allegiance to Samoa.

Arguably one of the first picked for Mal Meninga’s Australian Kangaroos side given his continuing top form, Haas admitted he had been “considering” a switch to play for Samoa in the future so he can represent his grandparents, but said that no decision would be made until after the upcoming State of Origin period.

“I’m not really going to talk about it, but I will be transparent and honest, I have been considering it,” the New South Wales prop said.

“But I’m not going to make a decision until after Origin. That’s me being honest and transparent to everyone.

“It’s about representing my grandparents, my grandfather is getting pretty old to be honest, and obviously I grew up around my Samoan side, so I’d be silly not to consider it.

“I’ll make that decision after Origin, I’m not 100 percent yet, but we’ll see what happens.

“(Playing for Australia) means the world, I don’t take for green and gold jumper lightly.

“I grew up here in Australia and Australia has given me and my family lots of opportunities as well.

“(For now) I’m just worried about playing for the Broncos and delivering here and when that time comes when I have to make a decision, I will.

“I know what will happen if I do make that switch, but we’ll go from after Origin what I do.

“I’m just solely focused on playing good footy for the boys here.”

Speaking in the lead-up to his side’s Multicultural Round match against Wests Tigers, Haas – who also has Filipino and Swiss heritage – said the round was a special celebration and one he felt honoured to be part of.

“It means the world, it’s bigger than ourselves to be honest,” Haas said.

“Our grandparents and great grandparents have paved the way for us to be here now, so to represent them in this round means the world.

“I think it’s very big, it means a lot to all us boys who have different heritages.

“We’re representing not just ourselves but our family.”

On the field, Wests Tigers may be without their own Samoa star, with co-captain and halfback Jarome Luai missing the match due to suspension.

However, Haas was looking forward to the challenge being presented up front, with the in-form Terrell May – another Samoa Test representative – set to provide some headaches for the Broncos.

“He’s been a handful the last four weeks, so we’ve got our jobs pretty tied up there. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, you want to verse the best and he’s been the in-form prop as well so I’m looking forward to that battle,” Haas said.

“(As a team) I think we’re building nicely, obviously we’ve got lots to improve on, but to be 3-1 and especially the last two weeks have been really gritty wins against the Cows and Dolphins.

“We looking to have a really polished performance this week against the Tigers.”