Aussies may have Haas replacement as star mulls switch
Jasper Bruce |
Australia coach Kevin Walters may have found his replacement for Payne Haas as South Sydney beast Keaon Koloamatangi considers switching international allegiances from Tonga.
Days after ex-Kangaroos prop Haas became the latest player to flag intentions of honouring their Pasifika heritage, Koloamatangi revealed his dream to wear the green-and-gold.
The versatile 27-year-old forward was born in Sydney to an Australian mother and Tongan father, so is eligible to play for either country in Test matches.
But after honouring his father across 10 matches for Tonga, Koloamatangi is enthusiastic about the prospect of representing his mother’s nation at international level.
“My mum’s Australian and my dad’s Tongan, so playing for the Kangaroos is a dream of mine as well, as was Tonga. If I was able to get the chance sooner or later, I’d obviously give it a thought,” he said.
“I’m just taking it a week at a time. Obviously I’ve got to get picked first.”
Koloamatangi has been the shining light in a dismal season for the Rabbitohs, proving particularly effective as a middle forward.
Souths faced the top four sides in consecutive weeks midway through the year and Koloamatangi emerged from the tough stretch as the league’s form front-rower.
Koloamatangi is yet to address his Test future with Walters, who will preside over the Kangaroos’ first Ashes tour since 2003 after the NRL season finishes.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone but whatever happens, happens,” Koloamatangi said.
“I live day by day. Everything happens for a reason so I’m sure the right thing will come.”
Koloamatangi made an early return from an ankle injury on Thursday night to help Souths claim their biggest win of the season, a 40-0 thrashing of lacklustre St George Illawarra.
He ran for 199 metres in a 70-metre stint in the middle, with rival coach Shane Flanagan terming the big man’s performance “outstanding”.
Koloamatangi had been expected to miss the remainder of the year with his ankle issue but said the chance to be part of Alex Johnston’s try-scoring milestone had motivated his speedy recovery.
After scoring once against the Dragons with his 210th career try, Souths veteran Johnston is now only three four-pointers from passing Ken Irvine to become the leading tryscorer in premiership history.
Johnston needs three tries from the Rabbitohs’ final game to enter rarefied air this season.
“I want to be part of history so hopefully he gets it done this year. It was a credit to the physios as well, they helped me a lot,” Koloamatangi said.
“Everyone wants to be a part of history because it will probably never be done again.”
AAP
