NRL 2023 grand final news: Watch Panther enforcer death stares Broncos rival Payne Haas

Footage captured the most terrifying middle forward in the code trying to intimidate front-row rival Payne Haas in an explosive precursor to the NRL grand final. WATCH THE VIDEO

James Fisher-Harris lit the fuse for an explosive first hit up.

Payne Haas has vowed not to be bullied by James Fisher-Harris as the Panthers enforcer lit the fuse for front-row fireworks by staring down his Broncos rival ahead of Sunday night’s NRL grand final.

Haas and Fisher-Harris will wage an engine-room battle for the ages at Sydney’s Accor Stadium and the victor of the personal duel could decide whether Penrith or Brisbane hold aloft the NRL premiership.

If Fisher-Harris’ first salvo is any indication, Haas is in for the most brutal night of his career.

Amid the hoopla at the NRL’s fan day on Thursday marred by Reece Walsh’s verbal spat with a young Penrith fan, what was largely missed was Fisher-Harris’ double death stare of Haas.

As players were announced to the crowd by position, Fisher-Harris and Haas walked onto the stage to take their places, separated only by the NRL trophy.

After a quick pause for an official photograph, Fisher-Harris exited to the left. Haas went right.

As the pair departed, Fisher-Harris turned around and fired a menacing stare at Haas. The Broncos prop kept walking. No eye contact. So Fisher-Harris went again, flashing a second intimidating look at Haas. The Broncos bookend continued on, oblivious to the daggers in his back.

It was magnificent; the NRL’s closest thing to a boxing weigh-in. Two heavyweights flexing their muscle. The 104kg Fisher-Harris revelling in the psychology, letting Haas, a monster at 118kg, know who the real Alpha male is between the pair.

It was only a five-second moment, but Fisher-Harris’ intent was palpable. This is personal. Forget the JFK assassination. JFH is coming to bash Haas. The Broncos prop won’t take a backward step.

“I need to stand up to him,” Haas said of his blockbuster showdown with Fisher-Harris.

“I’m not doing my job if I’m not beating him in the middle.

“He and Moses (Leota) are a huge threat.

“Their bench brings a lot of energy as well, so I have to help nullify them and that will go a long way to winning this game.

“I can’t wait for the challenge with him (Fisher-Harris), it will be a good test.”

James Fisher-Harris eyeballs Payne Haas.

Haas is widely regarded as the NRL’s No.1 prop, but there is a view he lacks the brutal menace of Fisher-Harris, who is arguably the most terrifying middle forward in the code.

On the score of numbers, Haas is flogging Fisher-Harris.

The Broncos hardman has Penrith’s big dog covered in just about every key statistical facet, including more tackle busts (107 to 46), average hit-ups (16 to 12), running metres (4165m to 2821m) and average run metres (189m per game to 128m).

But what can’t be measured is Fisher-Harris’ pure intimidation. The one knock on Haas is whether he truly has the mongrel to rip the heart out of a front-row rival. Fisher-Harris is proven. His brutality has won two premierships. Haas hasn’t won a title. Broncos legend Gorden Tallis says it’s time for Haas to shine.

“This is a challenge for Payne Haas,” Tallis said.

“If I’m putting pressure on anybody else it’s Payne Haas.

“In State of Origin, (Josh) Papali'i has probably been the best player on the field. Lindsay Collins (Queensland prop) has been the best player on the field. Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui, Maroons enforcer) has been outstanding for Queensland.

“Pat Carrigan (Haas’ Broncos teammate) has won the Wally Lewis Medal.

“Payne, this is a big stage, step up on it.”

Haas put Fisher-Harris on notice last week, unleashing a barnstorming 40-metre charge to set up Brisbane’s 42-12 preliminary final thumping of the Warriors.

“Last week he jumped that hurdle. He was outstanding,” Tallis said.

“When he picked up that loose ball and went through the middle, I had to have a second look, I thought it was Selwyn Cobbo.

“Payne, take it to the Panthers.

“I’m right up your clacker, I’m with you, let’s go.”

Six weeks ago, Haas signed a $3.5 million extension with Brisbane because he believed the Broncos could win a premiership. He has said previously he is driven to win a title.

Now he has a glorious chance to put Fisher-Harris on the canvas and enshrine his greatness as the premiership-winning prop who broke Brisbane’s 17-year title drought.

“You guys can debate who is the best (prop),” Haas said.

“’Fish’ has been up there for the last few years. I don’t care. I’m here to do my job.

“Ever since I came into the league Fish has been up there. He’s a great prop. It’s another game where I have to prove myself against him

“I don’t want to win just one premiership, I want to win a few before I finish here.”