House of Payne: The day the game’s best prop sparked an international ticket frenzy

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Only days after Payne Haas pledged his allegiance to Samoa, ticket sales more than doubled for the Pacific Championships clash against a Tonga side boosted by the inclusion of Broncos grand final nemesis Stefano Utoikamanu.

A crowd of more than 35,000 is tipped at Suncorp Stadium for the October 26 clash against Tonga – and Samoan and tournament organisers largely put that figure down to the inclusion of Brisbane’s premiership-winning front-rower.

As Haas continued celebrating the Broncos grand final victory over Melbourne – including carrying a baseball bat known to be swung in anger by Brisbane mentor Michael Maguire – Samoan coach Ben Gardiner revealed how Haas’ decision to quit Australia for the Pacific nation was already reaping rewards.

“When Payne made the announcement back in August, tickets sales in the two or three days that followed more than doubled, based on the fact he will be playing,” Gardiner said on Tuesday.

“That was an indicator of what will happen with Payne joining this squad.

Payne Haas celebrates with a Michael Maguire-inspired basbeball bat.

“It’s hugely inspirational not only for the team, but for Samoa as a nation, for young Pacific Islander kids who play rugby league, and want to play rugby league.”

Tonga also announced their squad this week, with props Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo to lead the side, which includes Samoa defector Stefano Utoikamanu. The Melbourne front-rower triggered a grand final slanging match after labelling the Broncos “stuck up” in the lead-up to the decider. His explosive rematch with Haas will have the big crowd on the edge of their seats.

Haas, 25, is considered the best prop in the game, and said before a Test between Australia and Samoa in 2023, when the national anthems were played, he realised he wanted to switch his allegiance and represent his mother’s family.

“The anthems were playing, and my mind raced back to lots of memories with my mum and making us sing the national anthem of Samoa in the back of the car,” Haas said at the time.

Haas was surrounded by two of his brothers in the Broncos’ dressing room on Sunday night and made it clear his sole purpose in life was to be a good role model for his family, friends and heritage.

“I’m trying to be a role model and show them there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Haas said.

“To come from what we’ve come from, you don’t get much, you’re not expected to be here.

“To be here now, hopefully I can show heaps of kids where I’m from that there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just need to put your head down, work hard and have faith.”

He also made a point of thanking Maguire and carried a baseball bat for a few hours, which was a nod to the coach known to swing a wooden Louisville Slugger to help ram home any game-day messaging.

“‘Madge’ [Maguire] deserves all the credit in the world, he came here, people made up stories about him and about us, but we stuck solid, we stuck by each other, and continued to work hard – we’re reaping the rewards now,” Haas said.

Haas will join the leadership group for Samoa, with Parramatta’s Junior Paulo and Wests Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai to co-captain in the tournament that also features New Zealand.

Gardiner said Taylan May’s versatility to play centre and wing on both sides of the field was a huge bonus, while Tyrone May was still a chance of joining his brothers Taylan and Terrell for the latter stages of the Pacific Championships, depending on how he pulled up after this weekend’s Super League grand final.