Payne Haas is in the frame for a shock Rugby League World Cup call-up after Samoa confirmed it is monitoring the star prop’s recovery from finger surgery.
Haas missed Samoa’s 23-man World Cup squad after surgery on a finger he injured late in the season. Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has now confirmed talks will continue, The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.
“We’re monitoring the situation with Payne, and we will have further discussions over the coming weeks,” Gardiner told The Daily Telegraph.
“Ultimately it would be up to Souths (Haas’ new club) and Payne.”
Injury replacement option
Haas was named in Samoa’s extended 40-man squad before withdrawing from selection, which means he can still be called in as an injury replacement, Zero Tackle reported.
Zero Tackle said Deine Mariner, who hurt his hamstring on debut, is the only Samoa player ruled out for the rest of the tournament. It also reported that Gardiner denied reports Haas had spent time in camp with the squad before the tournament.
Read more: NRL: Samoa World Cup Squad Named, Luai and To’o In, Haas Out
Souths have the final say
Haas joins South Sydney in 2027 after leaving the Brisbane Broncos, and any World Cup return would need the approval of both the Rabbitohs and the 26-year-old himself.
Zero Tackle reported Souths are unlikely to risk the fitness of their marquee recruit before the new NRL season, with Haas set to be a key figure in Wayne Bennett’s forward pack.
Read more: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Scenarios for Every Team
Tonga clash looms
Samoa face Tonga at CommBank Stadium on Sunday night in a match that will shape the semi-final draw.
Neither Haas nor South Sydney had commented publicly on a possible call-up at the time of writing.
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