Payne Haas, a leading player for the Brisbane Broncos, faces uncertainty regarding his participation with Samoa in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Set for surgery on his finger next week, Haas has dealt with this injury for a significant part of the season. He played his last regular season match against the Canterbury Bulldogs, where the Broncos were eliminated, leaving him with a month to recover before the tournament commences on October 15 across Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.
Haas remains committed to representing Samoa, contingent upon his fitness. "I'll talk to the medical team this week and see what happens from there, but once I know and once we find out, everyone will know," he stated after the Broncos' loss.
The star prop, who has opted to play for Samoa in the 2025 Pacific Championships, could also have the opportunity to represent Australia. Should he take that path, it may overshadow his World Cup ambitions, especially with a potential move to the South Sydney Rabbitohs planned for the start of the 2027 season.
Samoa reached the World Cup final in the previous tournament without Haas, and despite falling short, they are poised to make a significant impact this time around. They must navigate a challenging Group B and C, where a crucial match against Tonga could determine their semifinal prospects, leading to a likely face-off against either Australia or New Zealand in the knockout rounds.