Broncos star Payne Haas considering shock R360 code switch
Payne Haas is set to make a call on his NRL future in the coming weeks, with the Broncos star leaning towards a shock code switch, as R360 dangle a mega-deal that dwarfs any rugby league contract.
Brisbane powerhouse Payne Haas will lead Samoa into battle on Sunday and then sit down to make the biggest decision of his sporting career as R360 circles with a mega-offer that is set to dwarf any deal he can attract in rugby league.
Sources with knowledge of the situation insist that R360 is preparing to announce their first raft of players in the next fortnight and they are growing increasingly confident that Haas will be among them.
It’s understood that R360 is prepared to offer Haas up to $3 million a season, with the possibility of tax incentives making the deal even more lucrative.
The Broncos have tabled an extension for Haas, who is off contract at the end of next season, but it pales in comparison to what he can earn with R360.
The NRL has made its stance on the rebel rugby union competition clear.
If Haas conducts further talks with the competition he faces a 10-year ban from the NRL, effectively signalling the end of the 25-year-old’s career in rugby league.
Haas was scheduled to hold discussions with R360 last month, but his manager Ahmad Merhi postponed the discussions after seeking clarity from the NRL over the potential ramifications of any talks.
That hasn’t stopped R360 making moves to sign Haas.
In fact, this masthead understands that officials from the rival competition believe they are about to land the signature of a player who would be a statement signing given his stature in rugby league.
While this masthead can confirm no contract has been signed, sources with knowledge of the situation insist Haas is leaning towards a career change.
A decision is believed to be imminent and it shapes as a seminal moment not just for Haas, but also the NRL.
Broncos bosses privately believe Haas has no desire to play for another NRL club, but are wary of a monster offer from R360.
Haas is already the highest-paid forward in Brisbane’s history on $1.1 million this season and he will earn upwards of $1.2m on a new Broncos deal as the NRL salary-cap looks to increase in line with a new TV rights deal in 2028.
Haas could earn north of $1.5 million under a beefed-up salary cap, but that’s still well short of the proposed $10 million he could pocket with R360.
“I’m not sure where Payne is with R360, but I know Payne well enough to know he really loves the Broncos,” Maguire said.
“He is a big part of where we are right now with all the players who were able to achieve a premiership this year.
“One thing I do know is Payne is a Broncos man through and through.
“He has been through everything at this club and he is passionate about living in Brisbane.
“I don’t know all the details with what’s going on (with R360), but Payne is focused on jumping into another season when the time is right.
“It was great to see him enjoy what we achieved at the club this season and I know what it means for Payne to be winning with his teammates like Patty (Carrigan).”
There was a feeling that the threat of 10-year bans had put the kybosh on the threat of R360, that belief strengthened when South Sydney fullback Jye Gray decided to stay in the NRL rather than accept a huge pay increase to switch codes.
However, it is understood Haas is not the only NRL star who remains in R360’s sights. Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was linked with the rebel competition long before he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Storm.
Papenhuyzen has been tight-lipped on his future but there have been whispers in recent days that he could be bound for a stint in Japan before potentially joining R360.
Warriors star and Haas’ Samoan teammate Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has already committed to R360.
Haas, however, would send seismic shifts through rugby league should he decide to join R360.
Signing a player his stature would be a game-changer for the fledgling competition given a number rugby union players are believed to have backed out of the competition after the major unions threatened to ban players from World Cups and Olympics.
Sheer weight of money, though, has left Haas with some huge decisions to make as he prepares for one of the biggest games of his career on Sunday afternoon when Samoa play New Zealand in the final of the Pacific Championships at CommBank Stadium.
Haas’ decision is set to have huge ramifications for the Broncos.
Should he opt to take the cash on offer with R360, it would be no surprise if the NRL stepped in straight away to hand the Brisbane star an immediate ban.
It is understood Haas has no desire to walk out on the final year of his contract with the Broncos. However, the decision may be made for him if the NRL intervenes with what would be a sledgehammer blow to the Broncos’ hopes of defending their title.
The money on offer in R360 is life-changing and Haas may find it too difficult to resist given he has already ticked off so many boxes in rugby league.
R360 contracts begin on July 1 and include provisions for players to undergo medicals before Christmas.
They will also be part of a draft to be held in July for the inaugural six-team season – London, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Boston, Cape Town, Lisbon, and Madrid are in the mix to have sides.
Playing for Samoa was one of the few remaining items on his bucket list and he has now done that, having played a leading role in leading the side to the final of the Pacific Championships.
Samoan captain Jarome Luai spoke about the influence of Haas this week.
“Just speaking from the outside in I can see he is enjoying himself,” Luai said.
“I think it’s a bit of a different side to what he is used to with all the cultural stuff – speaking in Samoan, doing the dances.
“I think it’s really brought the kid out of him in a way. So he’s enjoying himself.”
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Originally published as Broncos star Payne Haas considering shock R360 code switch
