Despite wanting ‘even playing field’, Samoan stars yet to follow To’o’s lead

NSW’s Samoan-eligible stars won’t immediately follow Brian To’o’s lead and pledge their allegiance to the Pacific nation despite Junior Paulo insisting a desire to “level the playing field” of the international game.

Just days after To’o said he would represent Samoa in the World Cup - a change of heart from when his parents initially wanted him to represent the Kangaroos - Paulo, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai are insistent on letting the State of Origin series decider play out before making an eligibility call.

To’o’s declaration is set to be a jolt to the World Cup, and the Herald was told by sources familiar with the situation his Penrith teammates Luai and Crichton were also leaning towards playing for Samoa.

If the NSW representatives decided to play for Samoa it would represent the second straight World Cup a Pacific nation has been boosted by commitments from high-profile NRL stars after Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita chose Tonga over New Zealand and Australia respectively in 2017.

Asked about his decision, NSW prop Paulo said: “We’re proud of where we come from and our heritage, but we’re Australian as well. We’ve played all our footy here and we love where we’re from in Sydney.

“In terms of growing the international game, I think it’s awesome what ‘Bizza’ [To’o] has done. You want to be able to be on an even playing field. It will certainly be exciting to watch come World Cup time, but we’ll wait and see. I’ll wait until the time is right [to announce my decision].”

Jarome Luai and Brian To’o playing for NSW.Credit: Getty

While To’o would be favoured to win a starting wing spot if he chose the Kangaroos, Luai has an enormous task displacing Cameron Munster as Australia’s five-eighth and Crichton will be on the fringes of the centre debate. South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is expected to be available for the World Cup fitness pending and would be one of Mal Meninga’s first choices.

Samoa has been one of the biggest underachievers at international level, but could request the likes of the Panthers trio, Paulo, Payne Haas and Queensland forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Josh Papalii represent them at the World Cup. Teenage Roosters sensation Joseph Suaalii is also Samoa eligible.

Crichton said the Samoan heritage “is part of who we are”, while NSW teammates Daniel Tupou and Siosifa Talakai are set to represent Tonga, who feature in a World Cup group containing the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Wales.

“Showing our love for the country is important to me,” Crichton said. “That’s definitely one of my goals, playing that World Cup. Right now, though, the focus is on the Blues and preparing for Origin. I’ll focus on that after this.”

Tigers winger David Nofoaluma scored four tries in Samoa’s mid-season Test win over the Cook Islands at Campbelltown Stadium.

Samoa’s World Cup group also includes France and Greece, while the Kangaroos have been drawn against Fiji, Italy and Scotland.

Watch the State of Origin decider exclusively live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.