LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

'We want to be great' - Haas looks to claim another title

Payne Haas, a forward for Toa Samoa, is eager to seize silverware for his small island nation, setting his sights on the Pacific Championships Cup following two matches in his tenure.

After scoring his inaugural try for Samoa in a historic 34-6 victory over a powerful Tongan squad, Haas remarked that the team drew valuable lessons from their narrow loss to New Zealand, which they applied during their must-win match against Tonga.

Samoa is now awaiting the identity of their opponents for the final, scheduled at CommBank on November 9. For Tonga to qualify for this decisive match in the Pacific Championships, they must secure a win against the Kiwis by a margin of 17 points this Sunday.

Although Haas often captures headlines for his performances, it was the co-captains of Samoa who truly made an impact in this winning effort, marking their first international victory in seven games. Junior Paulo received player of the match accolades for his inspiring leadership, while Haas credited fellow skipper Jarome Luai-his State of Origin teammate-as crucial in maintaining team focus, especially during a 95-minute lightning delay at Suncorp Stadium.