Mal Meninga ‘frustrated’ as Payne Haas considers Samoa switch

Mal Meninga is not happy with Payne Haas’ plan to switch his allegiance away from Australia, with the Kangaroos coach saying international eligibility rules are “frustrating”.

Haas is set to become the latest Aussie player with Pacific Island roots to jump ship and represent their ancestral homeland, with news leaking this week that the four-cap Kangaroo prop is weighing up a move to play for Samoa.

Should he do so, the 25-year-old would be ruled out of this year’s Ashes series, where Australia will play England in a three-match tussle for the first time in 22 years.

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“It’s a little frustrating at the moment hearing all these rumours and Payne coming out and expressing his desires,” Meninga said.

“You can’t blame them. That’s their ancestral background and there’s a desire in the back of their hearts to play for Tonga or Samoa or whoever.

“But it’s a bit frustrating from an Australian point of view.”

Meninga believes Australian rugby league has sacrificed enough in recent years to help strengthen the international game, and he would like to see some loyalty put back on the Kangaroos jersey.

“For me, I think we’ve done enough sacrifices for the international program,” he said.

“There’s parity amongst payments and the group.

“So I just feel that we take the tears away now and value the international jersey a bit more.

“I think if we sit down around a table and look at those eligibility rules, we can come up with something pretty special.

“If we value the international program, let’s look at equity among the distribution of players as well.”

Even if Meninga is without Haas for the Ashes, his side will still be heavy favourites across rugby league bookmakers to claim their 21st series win.

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