Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has revealed the real reason players are flocking to play for the proud island nation, and it has nothing to do with poaching or coercion.
Australian Test props Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Payne Haas are considering representing Samoa in the Pacific Cup at the end of the year.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow said he wants to play for Samoa again "in the near future", although he will represent Australia on the Kangaroo Tour this year if selected.
"One of the big things we have wanted to do since I took over is create a positive narrative around us, and I feel in the last few weeks some media has pushed a negative narrative that we are stealing players from other nations. That is not what we are trying to do," Gardiner told AAP.
"Part of the Samoan culture is that players will play where their heart is, and we also just want them to play where they want to.
"Our position is that we want to have the best Samoan heritage team we can.
"There has been a lot of speculation around (individuals). Obviously the players are saying they are considering it, but until they come out and say they want to play for Samoa this year and at the World Cup (in 2026) we are not in a position to comment.
"They are all their own men and will make their decision when the time is right."
When Gardiner took over as head coach in 2022 he told the board he wanted to put Samoa in pole position to have the highest-quality team with the best Samoan heritage players choosing to play for the side.
"I work by the theory of the Kevin Costner film Field of Dreams, where if you build it they will come," he said.
"We decided to build a camp that separated us from our nations in the four-year period leading into the 2026 World Cup where the players would talk, and know our camp is something they want to be involved in.
"On the back of that they will come and join us because they want to, not because we are forcing them. It seems like it is creating interest."
It is the connected Samoan grapevine that is drawing players to the side, not the coach making nocturnal phone calls as a recruiter.
"I don't need to do that," Gardiner said.
"We have a network of people and that includes our players, by the way. That's more where this (influx of players) has come from.
"We want everyone of Samoan heritage to want to play for Samoa. Some of that comes from staff members, ex-players and players currently in our environment."
Gardiner and his staff have created a program based on the four pillars of high performance, rugby league, cultural experience and spiritual connection.
He brought into camp a pastor for the religious aspect, and other qualified people in the cultural space.
Ex-players who have experienced the holistic nature of Samoan camps previously such as Nigel Vagana, Tony Puletua and Mark Taufua were brought in to drive culture.
Gardiner said the commitment of NRL stars such as Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo was a catalyst for other young Samoan players to follow suit.
"Deine Mariner from the Broncos is a good example of a player who has committed to Samoa from the start," he said.
"We encourage our boys to play for where their heart is, and as a result they bring more passion and competitiveness."
