Payne Haas announced today that he’s been contemplating a switch of allegiance to Samoa. I, for one, think it’s a good thing for rugby league.
Australia has had little to no competition, barring the odd hiccup once in a blue moon. I don’t think Australia needs more depth in who they can pick; they need more depth in who they play against. Rugby league is flying at the moment, and the final piece to the puzzle is growing the international game. We’ve come a long way, and we can thank Jason Taumalolo for making the switch in 2017, but we still have a fair way to go.
A lot of people will have an issue with players taking the hefty paycheque playing for NSW and QLD, then shooting off to play for their Pacific nation’s side at the end of the year, but until they end this tier 1, tier 2 debacle, it’s something we’ll have to get used to.
I’ve heard numerous people suggest a rep break during the season, and I’m all for it. State of Origin at the same time as a Pacific Nations tournament. That would eliminate these allegiance loopholes—same number of games, same amount of money. Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, and Terrell May teaming up for Samoa, alongside the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo for Tonga. Not to mention the already stacked forward pack of New Zealand with James Fisher-Harris, Joseph Tapine, and Leo Thompson. That is some mouth-watering match-ups. I can’t see how that doesn’t get people excited for the upcoming internationals and tournaments.
Make it happen, PVL!
