'Follow your heart': Nanai's message to Samoan stars after Haas call

For Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai, the opportunity to represent Samoa is deeply rooted in family, culture, and honoring those who transformed the international game.

Last year, Nanai decided to wear Samoa's blue after playing in two Tests for Australia in 2022, and he has been unwavering in that choice since.

With Payne Haas recently announcing his commitment to represent Samoa for the next two years, Nanai is excited about the prospect of playing alongside one of the world's top forwards.

Haas joins Nanai, Cowboys teammate Murray Taulagi, and Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in this trend, highlighting a growing movement of elite players prioritizing their heritage over the Kangaroos or Kiwis.

This shift echoes Jason Taumalolo's groundbreaking choice in 2017 to play for Tonga, a pivotal moment regarded as a catalyst for the emergence of Pacific nations, including Samoa, which made it to the World Cup final in 2022.