Convincing the superstar trio to commit to Australia will be high on the new coach’s agenda.
Kevin Walters says one of his key tasks after being appointed Kangaroos coach will be trying to convince star trio Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to commit their national allegiances to Australia. Walters was on Wednesday officially named to lead the Kangaroos in the Ashes series in England at the end of the year, but he may be missing three of Australia’s best players.
It’s understood Origin stars Haas, Fa’asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow are all leaning towards representing Samoa in the post-season Pacific Championships, rather than playing for the Kangaroos in the Ashes. The trio’s defection would also have major implications for next year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
If they make the move, the star-studded trio would become the latest in a growing list of rep stars to honour family and play for the country of their heritage, rather than the nation where they were born. NSW Origin stars Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton are among the highest-profile stars to pledge their allegiances to Samoa, who would be even stronger with the addition of Haas, Fa’asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow.
Walters understands the importance of family to many of the Australian-born players with Pacific Island backgrounds, and would be fully supportive of the trio if they decided to defect from the Kangaroos. But he’s definitely keen to speak with the three Origin superstars and try to convince them to play for Australia.
Kevin Walters hoping to convince star trio to play for Australia
“In time I will, but that’s probably not a conversation for today,” he said. “I just want to explain to those players that are contemplating, I totally understand their situation, but let’s get the Kangaroos opportunity in front of them and see where they’re at with that. We move forward from there.”
Tabuai-Fidow represented Samoa in one World Cup match in 2022 and won the 2024 Pacific Cup with Australia. And Fa’asuamaleaui was a key part of the Kangaroos’ 2022 World Cup-winning squad. He did play a Test for Samoa in 2019, but has represented Australia in his past seven Tests. All four of Haas’ Test matches have been with Australia.
But Walters says regardless of the outcome around the star trio, the Kangaroos will still remain strong. “One thing about the Australian rugby league team is that there’s great talent. We know that,” he said.
“So if some players elect to play for Pasifika nations or whatever nation, we’ve got plenty of depth here in Australia. Obviously we want the best players available. It’s been a terrific State of Origin series with great talent on show from both states, so I’m sure we’ll get a very strong 22 to take on the English in October and November.”
Kevin Walters excited by ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’
Walters is tasked with succeeding Mal Meninga after the former Kangaroos coach stepped down to take charge of the Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. The former Maroons and Broncos coach won a World Cup with Australia as a player and said it was a ‘dream’ to be handed the Kangaroos role, with the 12-month deal putting his aspirations to coach again in the NRL again on hold.
Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos,” Walters said. “It’s a 12-month contract so it’s the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series.
When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. As a kid, you dream about… playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of last year. If he leads the Kangaroos in a successful Ashes tour of England, there is a strong chance Walters would be retained for next year’s World Cup.
