Auckland, New Zealand – October 17, 2025
Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner fronted media today in an all-in press conference ahead of the highly anticipated Test match against the New Zealand Kiwis this Sunday at Go Media Stadium.
Despite limited preparation time, Gardiner expressed confidence in his squad, highlighting the team’s familiarity and continuity over recent seasons.
“It’s been great to come into camp and have a fairly consistent group of players from the last two years,” Gardiner said. “We’ve made a few changes since last year, but a number of these boys have played together before. Over time, we’ve been able to build a strong core group, and it’s exciting to take the field with such a solid side.”
One of the most talked-about additions to this year’s lineup is Payne Haas, who joins Toa Samoa fresh off a premiership-winning NRL season. When asked what Haas has brought to the camp, Gardiner praised both his professionalism and his energy.
“He hasn’t exceeded my expectations because I already know how good he is,” Gardiner smiled. “At training, he’s been full of joy, bringing a lot of love to the boys, and they’ve done the same for him. It’s been special to see him reconnect with his culture and heritage, that’s what this opportunity is really about.”
When pressed on what the conversation looked like to bring Haas into the fold, Gardiner clarified it was less a recruitment pitch and more a discussion about Toa Samoa’s values.
“It wasn’t about convincing him,” Gardiner explained. “It was about showing what our camp represents: professionalism, culture, faith, and high performance. We’ve been building something strong, and Payne connected with that. He made his decision based on where his heart is.”
Another focal point of discussion was captain Jarome Luai, who continues to evolve as a leader.
“Jarome has matured a lot over the past 12 months,” Gardiner said. “He’s led a team week to week in the NRL and brought that leadership into camp. He’s got this energy that lifts everyone at training and in meetings. I’m really looking forward to seeing him express that leadership on the field.”
When asked about Luai’s on-field connection with Blaize Talagi, Gardiner chuckled before noting that their combination is “flourishing nicely.”
“It’s been intentional, getting them back together again,” he said. “They’ve been building great cohesion, and it’s exciting to see how that develops heading into this weekend and beyond.”
Gardiner also confirmed that Taylan May has been ruled out by his club due to injury.
“Unfortunately, that’s rugby league,” Gardiner said. “We’ve built good depth, so if someone’s unavailable, there’s always another player ready to step in.”
While questions about the Rugby League World Cup surfaced, Gardiner reiterated that the team’s immediate focus remains firmly on Sunday’s Test.
“Right now, it’s about this moment, this game, and how we go about our business at Go Media Stadium,” he said. “We’ve been planning long-term, but our attention is on putting our best performance out there this weekend.”
Looking back on Toa Samoa’s recent fan day and cultural ceremonies in Auckland with New Zealand, Gardiner described the experience as memorable, highlighting how it captured the spirit of both cultures.
“It was a great experience to connect to culture,” he said. “To be part of the ‘ava ceremony and connect with Māori and New Zealand culture was really special. Our boys draw energy from the fans, it’s a privilege and a responsibility for us to inspire the next generation to wear the blue jersey.”
Gardiner spoke fondly of the team’s unity and the unique bond within this particular playing group.
“Every group is special, this exact group of players and staff will only ever be together once,” he said. “So we talk about living in the moment, taking it all in, and enjoying every opportunity that comes our way.”
As for his message to fans, Gardiner’s call was simple: show up and bring the blue.
“It’s a great opportunity this weekend to come out and support your team,” he urged. “We need that same energy we saw at fan day, the horns, the music, the flags, the blue jerseys. The bigger the crowd, the better the occasion.”
He recalled the electric atmosphere from the last Samoa–New Zealand clash and the sea of blue that filled the stands.
“When we came out for warm-up, I remember seeing so many blue flags waving, it was mind-blowing. I’m really looking forward to seeing that again on Sunday.”
Tickets are still available for Toa Samoa vs New Zealand Kiwis at Go Media Stadium… and if Coach Gardiner’s words are anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be a passionate display of rugby league, culture, and pride.
