Simi Sasagi of the Canberra Raiders has announced he will postpone surgery to ensure he is ready for the World Cup, confirming his intention to play for Samoa again.
Sasagi, who hails from Auckland, first represented Samoa in 2024 and has participated in four Tests for the nation.
As the year began, he was expected to be a backup at the Raiders, contributing off the bench when needed.
By the end of the season, he emerged as one of the most improved players in the NRL, securing a vital spot in Canberra's centres.
His injuries have significantly impacted Ricky Stuart's team, and he now requires off-season shoulder surgery to address ongoing issues.
However, instead of undergoing the procedure immediately, Sasagi, who was born in New Zealand and could have played for the Kiwis, expressed a strong desire to don the Samoan jersey once more.
"That's what I want to do. The World Cup is one of my goals," Sasagi told AAP.
"You want to play with the best of the best, and there's a lot of big names putting their hand up.
"I'm a proud Samoan boy, and that's the team I've wanted to play for as a kid."