Kevin Walters handed boost as potential Kangaroos defector 'hasn't made a decision'
The trio have all played for Australia at some point, but are considering playing for Samoa moving forward. While this has opened up a debate around State of Origin eligibility, the trio are yet to make any official call with the NRL season still going.
Although Fa'asuamaleaui has broken his silence around the situation and claimed he will make his decision after the season's end. But it appears Walters will have time to meet with the Queensland forward who hasn't made up his mind. "For now I haven't made a decision. I'm hoping I'm in the boat where I have to make a decision," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"Obviously being in rehab probably rules that out at the moment. I just want to get my knee right, play good football and hopefully I get to that point at the end of the year where I get to select."
Fa'asuamaleaui said he has been tossing up the decision after a visit back to Samoa to see his family. "I am massively connected to my Samoan culture. Me and Iszac were fortunate enough to go back at the end of last year after 10 years," he said. "To be back there with my family and see all the kids I grew up with who now have kids like me, it brought a real connection to my culture. I have always loved being Samoan and I am still on that journey of learning my culture more and understanding it."
Fa'asuamaleaui played six games for Australia across 2022 and 2023, but has been injured in recent years having struggled to back-up for the green and gold at the end of the season. And while Fa'asuamaleaui is unsure of who he will play for, Walters claimed he isn't going to ask any of them to remain in the green and gold if they don't want to represent the jersey.
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Kevin Walters issues demand to Aussie stars
Speaking on NRL 360, Walters claimed he respects the decision of the players wanting to make a switch and won't stand in their way. The former Australian representative said he wants to restore the pride in the jersey and only wants players who want to play for Australia in the 22-man squad to tour England.
'I have had some conversations and picked up the phone,' Walters said on Monday. 'There will be some meetings in the next couple of weeks with those guys. I won't be trying to convince them to play for the Kangaroos.
"I will sit down with these guys and outline my plan on where we are going to take the jersey and then get an understanding of their feelings towards that and how they feel about playing for the Kangaroos. If they want to continue and play for our jersey that is great I love that and if they don't I totally respect that.'
Tabuai-Fidow played for Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, but was hampered with injury and only featured in one game. He has represented Australia six times since then having won the Pacific Championship last year in a stacked side. Haas has represented Australia four times.
The Kangaroos will play a three-match Ashes series for the first time since 2003, with the first Test against England getting underway at London's Wembley Stadium on October 25. Walters will select a 22-man squad to tour England after the NRL season.
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