NRL 2022: Broncos confident Payne Haas will stay long term and keep out of Roosters clutches

Facing up to a third NRL probe and heavily linked with a move to the Roosters, many are asking if Payne Haas’ days at the Broncos are numbered. Kevin Walters had a succinct answer.

Kevin Walters has blasted speculation Brisbane’s No.1 player Payne Haas wants out of the Broncos and has issued a hands-off edict to the Roosters ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.

Haas will look to put one of the most turbulent weeks of his career behind him when he runs onto Suncorp to face a Roosters side rumoured to be plotting a poaching raid on the controversial Broncos prop.

News Corp understands the NRL integrity unit’s probe into the Haas-Albert Kelly ‘Shoe-gate’ scuffle will be finalised early next week, ensuring the prop is not a late withdrawal for the Broncos-Roosters clash.

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Kevin Walters has launched a staunch defence of Payne Haas.

There is a view Haas is on borrowed time at Red Hill and is planning a move to the Roosters when his Broncos deal expires at the end of 2024.

For the past six months, the NSW Origin enforcer has refused to sign a $5.85 million upgrade with the Broncos. Haas has also forged a close friendship with Roosters legend Sonny Bill Williams, fuelling the belief that their bond will help deliver the NRL’s No.1 prop to the Bondi glamour club.

Roosters front-row enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is off-contract at the end of next year and Haas would be an ideal replacement, but Walters vowed to fight tooth-and-nail to keep Brisbane’s top prop out of the red, white and blue.

“We definitely want to keep a player like Payne,” Walters said.

“He has been a great asset for us, I’m sure when he plays against the Roosters he will give everything that he can, which he does every week.

“We want to keep Payne here long-term and that’s what we plan on doing.”

Since his NRL debut as an 18-year-old in 2018, Haas’ numbers have been phenomenal

Walters says Haas has been the most consistent player at the Broncos since his arrival.

In 65 matches for the Broncos, he has amassed a whopping 11,010 running metres and 2330 tackles. That’s an average of 169m and 35 tackles per game, output driven by the fittest front-row engine in the code.

But for all his on-field dominance, Haas has been an off-field problem child, whacked with $70,000 in fines by the NRL and Broncos and seven matches in suspensions following two integrity-unit investigations.

Now, with Haas in the crosshairs of a third NRL probe, and facing a one or two match ban, there are fears the 22-year-old is becoming a liability at Red Hill. Walters disagrees.

Asked if he thinks Haas is worth the trouble, Walters said: “Yes, I certainly do.

“Payne has been our best player since I’ve been here consistency wise. I love what he brings to our club. He’s had some indiscretions which we are all aware of, but from a playing point of view, he has made a huge difference.

“We’re getting around Payne and supporting him, as we do with all our players. We are in the spotlight at the Broncos whether you like or not and we have to abide by all the rules like the other clubs.

“It’s about supporting our players and getting around them when they are in tough times. We would like to think we support them.

Haas will be in the line-up to face the Roosters this weekend.

“You need your best players on the field, but sometimes they get injured or suspended. I don’t think Payne did anything too wrong (in his clash with Kelly). It’s disappointing, but we are supporting Payne.”

Walters is adamant the drama-charged build-up will not affect the mindset of Haas or Broncos teammates as they fight to avert a third consecutive loss after a promising 2-0 start.

“It won’t be disruptive, we have guys ready to go,” he said.

“We don’t know when the NRL will hand down their sanctions, there mightn’t even be a suspension, so we have to get on with it.

“’Payno’ is wearing jumper No.10 and he will be playing against the Roosters.

“I feel as a club we are very focused on where we are going with our culture and our playing group. There will be minor hiccups here and there, but we will deal with them internally and get on with things.

“That’s what we plan to do this week. We have a great opportunity against the Roosters at home to go out and play like the Broncos.”