Pacific Championships 2023: Secret Samoan poaching raids try to lure Payne Haas and Tino Fas’asuamaleaui

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner secured the high-profile defection of Murray Taulagi, but Payne Haas and Tino Fas’asuamaleaui withstood the call – for now. Here’s are five things to watch when Samoa takes on the Kangaroos.

Payne Haas and Tino Fas’asuamaleaui at Kangaroos training. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Pacific Championship kicks off on Saturday when Australia takes on Samoa in Townsville.

Here are five things to watch out for.

1. SECRET POACHING RAIDS

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner revealed he had reached out to every player with Samoan heritage in a bid to bring the game’s best talent to the Pacific nation.

While he was able to secure the high-profile defection of Murray Taulagi, Kangaroos players Payne Haas, Tino Fas’asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow withstood the call – for now.

“It’s about building trust. We wanted to connect with all of the players and let all the players that were eligible to play for Samoa know that we wanted them here,” Gardiner said.

“At the end of the day it was a decision for them to make. We chatted to them throughout the year and talked to them about the camps and what was going to happen, then when I came on board towards the end of the year I reached out to all of the players as well.

“We would open our arms to any player that wanted to commit to Samoa.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said he was pleased to see more players represent their ancestral nations even if it came at the expense of Australia, but was intent on keeping Payne Haas in green and gold.

“We want to give Payne a really good experience in the green and gold jersey so he stays for the rest of his career, that’s my objective,” Meninga said.

“He’s such a great player, obviously touted as one of the best front rowers to ever play the game, and he’s chosen to play for Australia.

“I’m really happy he’s part of our set-up. We want to provide that environment for him so that he wants to keep on playing for us.

Payne Haas and Tino Fas’asuamaleaui at Kangaroos training. Picture: NRL Imagery

2. BRIAN ON BABY WATCH

Toa Samoa winger Brian To’o will be keeping his eyes glued to his phone in the lead-up to kick off with his wife Moesha expecting to give birth imminently.

At this stage he is expected to play but Newcastle winger Greg Marzhew is on high alert.

“We actually had one baby during the week, Terrell (May)’s partner had her baby so he raced home on Sunday night or Monday night which was really cool for him, then came back,” Gardiner said.

“That’s what it means to these guys. That says a lot about what we’re building here.

“Bizza (To’o) on the other hand, his partner hasn’t had the baby yet so he’s ready to go when that comes. But at the moment he is committed to the game for (Saturday) night.”

3. SPINE-TINGLING MATCH-UPS

While this Toa Samoa team is one of the best seen in recent years, the spine is where Australia’s experience is obvious.

Collectively, the Kangaroos have 1038 NRL and 53 Test matches between the four spine members of James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt.

Munster, who could be considered the baby of the Australian spine, has both more NRL games and more Test appearances than the entire Samoan spine combined.

Samoa’s backbone quartet share just 131 NRL appearances and six Tests – all coming from five-eighth Stephen Crichton.

Sualauvi Faalogo, Daejarn Asi and Gordon Chan Kum Tong will all be treated to an international debut baptism of fire as they take on the world’s best team on their home turf.

Gardiner said his new-look spine had jelled well so far.

“We’ve put some really good time into organising our attack and our D and I think our spine played a big part in that,” Gardiner said.

“We’ve got some experienced players across the team and one of our spine members is extremely experienced so it’s just a matter of them getting out there and doing their job and executing their role within the team.

“If they can do that, the strength of the team will take over and that’s what we plan to do.”

Meninga backed his old guard to get the job done.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in the key positions and I think that’s one of our assets,” Meninga said.

“We’ll see what happens though, because sometimes attitude and enthusiasm beats talent.”

4. BATTLE OF THE WINGS

Murray Taulagi will play for Samoa. Picture: Matt Taylor

Many expected Maroons flyer Taulagi to be included in Meninga’s Kangaroos squad, and even the most one-eyed Penrith supporters wouldn’t have predicted Dylan Edwards would instead wear the No.2 jersey.

With Selwyn Cobbo lining up on the other flank for his Australian debut, it will be no surprise if Samoa target the inexperienced edges.

Gardiner expected his wingers to run hard and carry the team out of their own half.

5. CHANCE TO IMPRESS

With Valentine Holmes serving a one-match suspension – and Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic injured – Saturday is a chance for Kangaroos debutants Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Kotoni Staggs to put their hands up as a future Australian centres.

Meninga said their performances would indicate who remains in the team to play New Zealand.

“We’ll go back to the selection table next week and we’ll pick a team going forward but at the moment they’ve got first shot and hopefully they’ll grab it,” Meninga said.

CHERRY-EVANS TO SNAP 104-YEAR ROOS RECORD

—Travis Meyn

Daly Cherry-Evans is ready to fire in the absence of NRL golden boy Nathan Cleary when he breaks a 104-year record and becomes the oldest Kangaroos halfback in Australia’s Test history.

Cherry-Evans will celebrate his 19th appearance for the Kangaroos in Saturday’s Pacific Championships opener against Samoa in Townsville after being recalled to the national team.

At 34 years and 236 days, Cherry-Evans will become the oldest Kangaroos No. 7 on record, surpassing Arthur Halloway who was 34 years and 51 days when Australia toured New Zealand in 1919.

A knee injury suffered in Penrith’s incredible grand final comeback win over the Broncos has ruled World Cup winning halfback Cleary out of the Pacific tournament, opening the door for Cherry-Evans to reclaim the coveted No. 7 jersey.

Daly Cherry Evans is back in the Kangaroos No.7 jersey. Picture: Richard Dobson

But Cherry-Evans is a deserved replacement, the Queensland captain having produced one of the most consistent seasons of his 13-year NRL career with Manly as he eclipsed the 300-game milestone and clinched back-to-back Origin series wins against Cleary’s Blues.

Cherry-Evans said he was honoured to be back in the green-and-gold and wouldn’t let Australia down when he enters the Kangaroos’ record books at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“After Nathan played so well in the grand final I was very sure they weren’t picking anyone else to play halfback but I was hoping I might manage my way into the squad still,” he said.

“I wasn’t hiding from the fact he was going to play halfback and I certainly wasn’t wishing for him to get injured, but I just know rugby league works in funny ways and anything can happen.

“I had the mindset that if there was an opportunity for whatever reason I would be ready to play. I’ve always said I’ll be ready and you never know when your chance comes in rugby league.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be gifted another chance and I’ll make sure I enjoy this moment and give it my best.”

‘DCE’ made his Test debut in 2011 and was reminded he was a rookie by teammate Beau Scott.

Much like spending three years in the Origin wilderness from 2015-18, Cherry-Evans’ Test career has also been sporadic since his 2011 debut following his rookie NRL season.

He has been in-and-out of the Australia fold and didn’t play a Test between his 11th and 12th appearances from 2014-18.

If there has ever been a candidate for “play every game like it’s your last” it’s Cherry-Evans and that’s a mantra he now lives by.

“I’ve played with that mindset since I got back into the Queensland side,” he said.

“I’ve been left out of the Aussie side on two or three occasions so that’s always rang true with me.

“I’m old and have been around these camps for a while now, but I can say I’ve played every game like it’s my last over the past few years. It’s such a great mentality to have.

“Rep footy has been challenging and I could look at it that way or say ‘I’ve played more Test footy and State of Origin than I could have ever dreamt of’. I’ll take a lot of pride from that when I’m done.

“Each time I get here I’m earning it through my performances and actions. When the time is right I’ll get to play and it’s worked out for me this time that I’ll get another game.”

Cherry-Evans had a great NRL season with Manly. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

While he toured England last year for the World Cup and played three Tests, Cherry-Evans sat out Australia’s victorious semi-final and final matches after Cleary took over the No. 7 duties.

With the rise of Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes last year, it could have been his last taste of the Test arena but Cherry-Evans’ 2023 form was too hard for Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to resist.

“The whole World Cup experience itself was fantastic. I had so much fun with such a good group of fellas,” Cherry-Evans said.

“There was a bit of personal disappointment that I wasn’t in the 17 to play in the World Cup final, but I’d like to think I didn’t throw the towel in or kick stones.

“I made sure I trained well and tried to help the boys get in the best position to win. If anyone needed anything I was always there.

“I was used to being the halfback but Nathan earned his spot and I had to accept what it was and wait for another chance. Being an optimistic person, it’s worked out.

“(Meninga) didn’t say much about this tournament, I was a bit nervous. I felt like throughout the season, with club and Origin footy, I was going to give myself a good chance through my performances. When I got the call I was extremely excited.

“I’m well prepared and will go out and do my best.”