Sam Payne

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}

{{Use Australian English|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Sam Payne

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Samuel John Payne

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|11|11|df=y}}

| birth_place = Tamworth, NSW, Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = 5 ft 9 in

| weight = 176 lb

| occupation =

| school =

| university =

| relatives =

| super14 = NSW Waratahs

| super14years = 1996–2001

| super14caps =

| super14points =

| position = Scrum-half

| repyears1 = 1996–1997

| repteam1 = Australia

| repcaps1 = 7

| reppoints1 = 5

}}

Samuel John Payne (born 11 November 1971) is an Australian former professional rugby union player who played as a scrum-half. He competed in the Super 12 for the NSW Waratahs, as well as overseas with Brive in France and Northland in New Zealand.{{cite news |title=Former Wallaby halfback signs for Northland |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/former-wallaby-halfback-signs-for-northland/2KPRBCOUQFP46S4KCWSG3DKYMM/ |work=NZ Herald |date=24 September 2023 }}

Payne, born in Tamworth, New South Wales, grew up on a Walcha farm and was educated at The Armidale School.{{cite news |title=ARU makes Armidale's TAS a training hub |url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/1172594/aru-makes-armidales-tas-a-training-hub/ |work=The Northern Daily Leader |date=7 December 2012 }}

Payne was capped in seven Test matches for Australia across 1996 and 1997. For his appearances in 1996, Payne was the favoured scrum-half to George Gregan, who sat on the interchange bench.{{cite web |title=Samuel John Payne |url=https://classicwallabies.com.au/players/samuel-john-payne |website=classicwallabies.com.au }}

Payne represented Australia at the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens, with the team losing the final to New Zealand.