'the Origin': Samoa-Tonga rivalry a lure for stars

Toa Samoa's coach, Ben Gardiner, believes that the intense rivalry with Tonga, reminiscent of the State of Origin, is a significant draw for prominent players like Payne Haas to choose to play for Pacific nations.

Haas, the standout prop for the Broncos and NSW Origin, has announced his intention to represent Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships and next year's World Cup. Meanwhile, Rob Toia, the Roosters and Queensland centre, has committed to playing for Tonga.

The upcoming match between Samoa and Tonga will take place on October 26 at Suncorp Stadium, marking the first encounter on Australian soil since 2018. This match is expected to attract a crowd of up to 50,000, a significant change from their previous games held at Campbelltown or on the Gold Coast.

In 2017, Jason Taumalolo sparked a Pacific revolution by opting to play for Tonga instead of New Zealand during the World Cup; Haas's choice to honor his Samoan roots is also anticipated to have a similar influence.

Although Samoa faced defeats against Australia, New Zealand, and England after making history as the first Pacific nation to reach a World Cup final in 2022, Gardiner sees these experiences as valuable lessons for developing his team for RLWC2026.