CODE-hopping pioneer Wendell Sailor says Payne Haas will be “wasted” in rugby union but has backed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s decision to quit the NRL and switch to rugby.
A legend who played at the highest level in both codes, Sailor told CODE Sports he expects more NRL stars will soon follow Suaalii in defecting to rugby because the combination of better pay and the lure of appearing in a home World Cup was too good an opportunity to turn down.
But Broncos superstar Haas is one player he firmly believes should not entertain a code switch.
“I want Payne Haas to stay in rugby league. If rugby union gets him, good luck to them but I think he‘d be a waste in union,” Sailor said.
Sailor was one of several former Wallabies interviewed during the CODE Sport investigation into the sport, addressing some of the issues, fallout and plans for the game in the wake of the $5m Suaalii deal as rugby attempts to build a legacy from the 2027 rugby World Cup.
While Sailor’s time in rugby ended with his two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine, he wouldn’t change a thing about his decision to leave rugby league and pursue the rival code.
“Not for a minute do I regret it,” Sailor said.
“I played 37 Tests for the Wallabies and I got to see the world.”
