NRL 2021: Tevita Pangai Jr backs Broncos star Payne Haas’ pay rise

Brisbane behemoth Payne Haas is “a top three player in the competition” — and deserves to be paid like one, according to his former teammate.

Tevita Pangai Jr. and Payne Haas at Broncos training earlier this year. Picture: Liam Kidston

Show him the money. That’s Tevita Pangai Jr’s message to the Brisbane hierarchy when it comes to his former Broncos teammate and “brother” Payne Haas.

Haas’s future at Red Hill has been the source of speculation after suggestions the 21-year-old forward was growing dissatisfied with his deal, worth about $550,000 a season.

As revealed by News Corp on Wednesaday (read the full story below) the Broncos have tipped in a further $200,000 a year until the end of the 2024 season.

Pangai Jr, who was earning $725,000 at Brisbane, believes Haas is worth every dollar – and then some.

“I feel like he’s starting to get some good people around him and starting to get some good advice,” Pangai Jr said.

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Tevita Pangai Jr. says his former Broncos teammate Payne Haas deserves evert dollar of his new contract. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“It’s already pretty public what’s on.

“In my eyes, he’s a top three player in the competition and he should be getting paid what he’s delivering. He’s (the Broncos’) most consistent player and their best player.”

Despite the well-documented split with Brisbane, where he made his NRL debut in 2016, Pangai Jr insisted their was “no bad blood” between him and the club that he had hoped to win a premiership.

Pangai Jr revealed Brisbane hierarchy had reached out to him to offer support and condolences after his partner, Anna, suffered a tragic still birth last month.

“We left on good terms. I spoke with the chairman yesterday, he just messaged to check up on me because of what’s happened lately. It’s the same with the players, like Payne … he’s my brother,” Pangai Junior said.

“I didn’t win a premiership there, which I wanted to. There were a few years there where we had the team to do. We had exciting halves, a good forward pack and young players coming through.

“But it was mutual, I needed a change and they needed to fix their salary cap up and sign some more experienced and consistent players and they have done that. All the best to them.”

The Belmore-bound behemoth not only has a chance at a premiership ring at Penrith, but his time with the club has also doubled as a chance to get to know some of his new Canterbury teammates.

“I still feel like I have a couple of more gears but time will tell. We have a really good team that we are building at the Bulldogs. Matt Burton is coming, Brent Naden is coming as well. It has actually been good to spend some time with them before we head to the Bulldogs,” Pangai Junior said.

“But my focus is on this year and I’m a Penrith Panther to October. Before I came here my footy career was at a crossroads and I needed to be around a good system and a good team.

“I thought Penrith would be a good place to come.

“I’ve played against a lot of the players here in the juniors and could never beat them, so it’s good to be playing with them.”

Revealed: Broncos’ secret Payne Haas pay rise

By Peter Badel

Broncos football boss Ben Ikin has slammed speculation Payne Haas could quit the club amid revelations Brisbane’s board have authorised a bumper pay rise and $750,000-a-season contract for the NSW Origin enforcer.

Ikin has broken his silence on the Haas saga to declare Brisbane’s front-row superstar is happy at Red Hill, outlining plans to keep the 21-year-old beyond the expiry of his current deal in 2024.

Haas has been buffeted by reports he is restless at the Broncos and dissatisfied with his rumoured $550,000 salary, which is allegedly less than the wages of Tom Flegler ($650,000) and recently departed duo Matt Lodge ($800,000) and Tevita Pangai Jr ($725,000).

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But News Corp can reveal Haas will go into Brisbane’s final regular-season clash against Newcastle this Saturday as the Broncos’ highest-paid forward after the club quietly rubber-stamped a mid-season pay rise.

Haas received a $200,000 increase in April to take his salary this season to $750,000. When $1 million playmaker Anthony Milford departs for Souths in November, Haas and Rabbitohs recruit Adam Reynolds will be Brisbane’s two highest-paid players next season.

Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin is adamant Payne Haas will not quit the club.

The Broncos have recalibrated their salary cap to reward a front-rower they believe can spearhead their pack for the next 10 years and Ikin moved to scupper suggestions Haas wants out of Brisbane.

“We have no concerns from our end with Payne Haas leaving the club,” Ikin said.

“If Payne Haas is an unhappy player playing the way he currently is, I’d like to see his form when he is happy.

“We rate him very highly, he is an important part of our present and our future and we will do what we need to do to ensure he feels that and remains committed to the Broncos beyond his current contract.

“At this stage, despite the reports, it would seem Payne feels the same way about the Broncos as we do about him.”

As revealed by News Corp, the Broncos board last month approved a six-year offer to keep Haas at Red Hill until the end of 2027.

Haas has not inked the extension at this stage, advising the Broncos he is in no rush given that the Blues bookend cannot field formal offers from rival clubs for another two years.

Ikin confirmed talks on a new deal have been put on hold, but believes Brisbane are in the box seat to keep Haas for an extended term.

Haas has forged a close bond with NRL and All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams

“I am confident Payne will stay,” he said.

“Payne is a huge part of our planning, he is the guy we plan to build the team around, he knows that and we know that.

“It’s constantly communicated to him.

“We are very considerate of what the player wants. If someone of Payne’s quality wants to look at his future beyond this current contract, of course we will have that conversation with him.

“There is no time pressure on when we do a new deal for Payne. He is contracted until the end of 2024, so we don’t have to do this as a matter of urgency, but we will move forward with Payne at a rate that he feels comfortable with.

“Payne values the Broncos, he has stated it publicly and privately, he loves the club and that shows up every time he takes to the training paddock and wears the Broncos jersey week to week.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Tevita Pangai Jr backs Broncos star Payne Haas’ pay rise