NRL 2021: Broncos big man Payne Haas injures ankle at training

Payne Haas’ year has gone from bad to worse with the Broncos’ enforcer forced from the training field with a leg injury.

Payne Haas at Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

The Broncos are confident Payne Haas has escaped the worse after the enforcer went down with an ankle injury during training on Thursday morning.

The 21-year-old was participating in a routine training drill on a wet Broncos training paddock, when he rolled his right ankle and was left clutching at it in discomfort on the ground.

Haas was helped from the field by a Brisbane trainer before strapping ice to the impacted area.

Payne Haas limping off at Broncos training today after injuring ankle. Nature and severity to be confirmed, hoping no syndesmosis involvement. Even so will have extended time to recover due to suspension for first 3 rounds pic.twitter.com/oknC9Gg2n8

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 18, 2021

Broncos head of performance Andrew Croll described the injury as a moderate-grade lateral ankle sprain.

“Medical staff don’t expect the injury to keep Payne out of training for too long,” Croll said.

It has been a rollercoaster start to 2021 for the young Broncos star.

The injury comes after Haas is due to sit out the club’s next three games following his run-in with police earlier this year, where he was also slapped with a $50,000 fine.

Payne Haas on the ground after injuring his ankle at training. Picture: Richard Gosling

He must also undergo an appropriate education program and complete community service as part of his punishment from the NRL.

Broncos wellbeing support coordinator Petero Civoniceva said he was working closely with Haas to realise his potential in the NRL.

“He’s extremely remorseful for what happened, he’s made that very clear,” Civoniceva said.

“The club and himself are doing the right things to learn from that.

Trainers attend to Payne Haas. Picture: Richard Gosling

Payne Haas sits with ice on his ankle after the incident. Picture: Richard Gosling

“For myself, I’m in Payne’s corner and trying to get him to understand what an important figure in the game he is and he’s going to be.

“It’s just about being the bloke we all know he can be.

“He’s good, young man who made a mistake and learning from that as Tevita (Pangai Jr) has done.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Broncos big man Payne Haas injures ankle at training