Broncos suffer another injury blow to forward pack with young gun Payne Haas facing a month out

THE Broncos’ forward stocks have copped yet another blow, after young gun Payne Haas was ruled out for two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Payne Haas is taken off the field against the Bulldogs.

THE Broncos’ forward stocks have copped yet another blow, after young gun Payne Haas was ruled out for two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The promising prop, who made his NRL debut in Round 8 against the Rabbitohs, has suffered an early setback in his first grade career following the injury from Thursday’s win over the Bulldogs.

Haas had only been on the field for six minutes when he came off second best in a massive tackle from Bulldogs prop David Klemmer.

BLINDSIDE: Bronco Haas the NRL’s biggest eater

NRL Daily: Rolling rugby league coverage

BELCHER: Morgan must fight way through form slump

Payne Haas is taken off the field against the Bulldogs.

Klemmer’s shoulder caught Haas in the face and the teenage sensation was taken from the field for a HIA.

However, scans yesterday revealed he also suffered the sprain in the collision and he will now be sidelined for at least two weeks.

With Matt Gillett (neck) and Josh McGuire (ankle) already missing for the Broncos, it will be another blow for their forward pack depth.

Haas’ manager Chris Orr said his client did not want to appear to be a “sook” after the big hit and may have hurt his ankle while getting up too fast.

Haas was taken from the field for a HIA test in the same incident.

“He actually passed the concussion test, but his ankle was still a bit sore. As a precaution they said he isn’t going back on,” Orr said.

“The concession test was clear. I said, ‘mate you probably tried to stand up too quick’ and he said, ‘I didn’t want to look like a big sook’.

“Unfortunately, he got clipped on the leg and just lost his balance as he was approaching the defence.”

Fellow bench forward Joe Ofahengaue said it was disappointing to see Haas go down, but the pack kept proving they had a good mix of rookies and veterans to get the job done each week.

“It was unfortunate for Payne,” Ofahengaue said.

Alex Glenn has also been cleared to play Manly after suffering hamstring tightness.

“He would have been good for us (on Thursday).

“We have some experience and inexperience (in the pack) so it helps us a lot.”

The most likely replacement for Haas will be experienced Norths forward Sam Tagataese, who will play today against the Mackay Cutters in the Intrust Super Cup.

In good news however, Kiwi international Alex Glenn was cleared of any major injuries after suffering a hamstring problem in Thursday’s win.

Scans cleared him and halfback Jack Bird (quad) of any injuries yesterday, with the Broncos confident the pair will be fit for Saturday’s double header clash against the Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium.

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!