Haas breaks silence on Souths signing, Broncos deny lowballing claims

Broncos prop Payne Haas has slammed suggestions of a fallout with coach Michael Maguire as “far from the truth” as Brisbane vehemently denied lowballing the South Sydney-bound star during contract negotiations.

Haas will join the Rabbitohs on a three-year deal from 2027, a switch the rugby league world didn’t see coming. The decision to leave the NRL premiers has prompted speculation about the NSW prop’s motivation, with some pundits citing a supposed fallout with Maguire or the chance to earn more money at South Sydney under coach Wayne Bennett.

However, Haas said there were no issues with Maguire after winning a State of Origin series and premiership together.

“I can’t believe the stuff with Madge,” Haas said in an interview recorded with the Broncos in London.

“I can’t believe all the speculation and all the rumours that’s been tossed up.

“It’s far from the truth to be honest and that’s me being honest and truthful and transparent and there’s nothing wrong with us, we just won a premiership together. We won a State of Origin together.

“We’ve got a great relationship, and I enjoy working hard under Madge and I’m a hard worker myself and that’s what I pride myself on and the way we work is what I love.

“For everyone saying that kind of stuff it’s not true and it’s unfair to Madge and the Broncs as well.”

Haas has a unique family situation; his parents are in jail and he is the legal guardian of some of his siblings. While it was thought those family ties would keep him in Brisbane, the 26-year-old said it was time for a change.

“My decision, it was pretty hard to be honest,” he said. “Obviously, I love the Broncs and it’s all I’ve known since I was a kid, since I came in from school.

“The main factor for me was family. Nothing else to be honest. I felt being a leader for my family is probably the best move for us to have a change and a fresh new start.

“Especially [because] I’ve got lots of support down there as well with my family and my agent [Ahmad Merhi] as well, he’s down there, he’s like a second dad to myself and I need those kind of people around me, especially now for my siblings and my daughter and for my son as well.

“So, I feel like I’m being a leader, I had to lead and make that decision and it was not just myself but my partner as well. We thought as a family that would be the best for us.”

The Broncos waived the 10-day cooling off period out of respect for Haas’ decision.

Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy torpedoed suggestions the club wasn’t prepared to pay Haas’ market worth.

“I have never heard or read a greater load of BS in my time here,” Donaghy said.

“I know people like to throw peanuts from the cheap seats, but the work going on at the moment behind closed doors is outstanding.”

Haas was linked to a potential move to Rugby 360, but the launch of the mooted rebel rugby competition was put back until 2028.

“Whilst he’s got broad shoulders, for a young man he’s carried a lot for a long time,” Donaghy said.

“He’s got a pretty strong network in Sydney and that pull was quite great. When I reflect back on it, the rugby union links that were going around last year, I think that was real in terms of interest.

“For Payne, for the first time ever, he conceptualised a vision where he wasn’t wearing the Broncos jersey.

“I spoke to Payne and [Haas’ manager] Ahmad [Merhi] about many options, short and long term. In the end we worked towards a short-term extension.

“The reality for us, we got our heads pretty quickly around that at best, we were only going to have Payne for 12 months beyond this season.

“This has brought that forward by 12 months. Fortunately he’s been good enough to advise us before the start of the season so that we’ve got time to strengthen the whole squad.”

Haas’ bombshell news came just before the Broncos flew out to prepare for next weekend’s World Club Challenge against Hull KR. The Samoan international - he switched his allegiances from Australia last year - wants to leave the club with a second premiership ring.

“For the ’26 season I’m ready to go all in for the boys, especially my brothers here, the coaching staff and especially the fans,” he said.

“I want to give my all this year again and go back-to-back.”