‘I had to take a lead’: Haas breaks silence on why he’s leaving Broncos

4 days ago 2

Payne Haas says private and personal matters played a pivotal role in his decision to end his time with the Brisbane Broncos and ink a lucrative three-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Addressing the media for the first time since sending shockwaves through the NRL, Haas slammed rumours of a rift with Brisbane coach Michael Maguire as “a bunch of BS”.

The towering prop confirmed, however, the chance to reunite with coach Wayne Bennett was a compelling factor behind his move.

Payne Haas has addressed the media for the first time since announcing he would leave the Broncos at the end of 2026.

Haas admitted he endured “sleepless nights” as he mulled over his dilemma.

But with a young family to support, which included taking younger brothers Hans and Geejay under his wing with both his parents incarcerated, he confirmed he was content with his choice and had the support of his Broncos teammates and Maguire.

“Some things were happening the past couple of weeks before that was happening in my life, personally and privately, and I thought as a partner, a father, I had to take a lead and had to make that decision pretty quick,” Haas said.

“I get along with Madge [Maguire] a lot – we won an Origin together and a premiership and there’s no sour taste or bad blood. I don’t know where that came from. We’re on good terms.”

Haas said the knowledge he would join forces with Bennett, who gave him his NRL debut, eased his mind about the prospect of leaving the only club he had known.

Speculation has circled Bennett’s future, given his contract ends in 2027, with Haas confirming his three-year deal was to two locked-in years, with an option in his favour to explore options beyond that.

“I’ve got two years there and a one-year player option, so I can address it like that, if you want,” Haas said with a laugh, when asked if his future at the Rabbitohs was tied to Bennett.

“My brother [Chace] was a quadriplegic and disabled, and he had a son who was disabled and that’s how we sort of connected. Our relationship started from that, and he’s someone I trust.”

During his NRL career, Haas’ name has never been far from the headlines.

His mother Joan Taufua remains in prison following a car crash that killed three people, while his father Gregor was arrested in the Philippines over alleged drug offences in Indonesia. It was reported this month a judge had ordered Gregor’s immediate release.

Haas said he had spoken to his parents recently, as he divulged how he handled his whole family, given their complicated situation.

Xavier Willison will be in line to fill Haas’ vacated position.

“My partner and I are leaders of our family, and we want to protect them and let them live a good life. There’s so much noise outside about our family, but as long as internally we’re all right then we’re good,” Haas said.

“I’ve spoken to my mum and dad a couple of times, and they’re in good spirits, so as long as they’re like that then it’s all good. A few things are going on over there in the Philippines [with his father], but god willing, we’ll see what happens and hopefully, he gets over.”

While Haas stressed his focus was on finishing his time with the Broncos on a high, he declared the club would be in “good hands” given the rise of Kiwi prop Xavier Willison, and the potential recruitment of Warriors enforcer Mitch Barnett.

The New Zealand outfit confirmed Barnett would be released at the end of 2026 on compassionate grounds to be closer to family in Taree.

The door would also open for Willison to fulfil his preseason pledge to become a regular starter for the Broncos, fresh off his Test debut for New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships.

Willison, 23, produced a breakout campaign last year en route to the premiership, and fellow Brisbane forward Jack Gosiewski believed he would be ready to assume Haas’ mantle.

“He’s a superstar, he’s still very young, and I think he hasn’t even fully grown into his body yet. He’s got massive potential, and I think when he fully grows out in the next few years he could be a really dangerous player,” Gosiewski said.

“I believe he already is – he’s big, strong, powerful and unbelievably fit, so he’s got a massive future ahead of him.”

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