NRL 2023: Payne Haas re-signing with Broncos confirmed by Kevin Walters

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has confirmed the news Payne Haas will re-signed with the Broncos and the club will clear the last hurdle in the deal.

(L-R) Kevin Walters and Payne Haas.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has confirmed the retention of Payne Haas on a $3.5 million mega deal and likened the Broncos superstar to legendary premiership prop Glenn Lazarus.

This masthead revealed Haas had agreed terms on a new deal until the end of 2026, but the Broncos have yet to announce his signing, sparking speculation Brisbane’s No. 1 prop may not proceed with the contract.

However, Walters has broken his silence on the delicate contract negotiations to declare Haas is staying at the Broncos in a huge coup for Brisbane on the eve of the finals.

The NSW Origin enforcer is expected to formally ink his new Broncos contract in the next 24 hours, with Walters lauding Haas’ importance to Brisbane as they look to snap a 17-year premiership drought this season.

“We are thrilled to have Payne extend his contract here at the Broncos,” Walters said.

“He’s been our most consistent player for the past four years.

“It’s really pleasing to know he’s committed longer term with the Broncos.

“It’s wonderful news for everyone involved in our club.”

Payne Haas has re-signed with the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The Broncos are tipped to formally announce Haas’ signing on Friday, pending the lodgement of his new contract with the NRL salary-cap auditor, finally bringing to a close one of the most drama-charged deals in the club’s history.

Haas dropped two bombshells on the club, first requesting a shock release last year - rejected by Broncos bosses - before his management last month revealed Brisbane’s No. 1 prop will head to free agency from November 1.

That revelation triggered a market frenzy with all 16 NRL rivals expressing preliminary interest, with the Bulldogs, Tigers, Dragons and Storm among the frontrunners for his signature.

Ostensibly given a three-month headstart, the Broncos moved quickly, tabling a beefed-up deal that will see Haas earn up to $1.2 million a season - making him the highest-paid player in Brisbane’s 35-year history.

Haas’ manager Ahmad Merhi agreed terms around 4pm on Tuesday in a phone conversation with Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy.

Merhi made it clear Haas is not getting cold feet over his verbal commitment to the Broncos and says the contract will be officially rubber-stamped by the weekend.

He also hit back at suggestions he made empty threats for Haas to test his value on the open market from November 1 as part of a negotiating tactic to pressure the Broncos into giving their No. 1 prop a hefty pay rise.

Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walter. Picture: NRL Photos

“There’s no issues, Payne is staying and everything will be signed in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Merhi said.

“We were always genuine in our view that if we couldn’t come to a deal with Brisbane, then we would have gone to November 1.

“I have to give praise to Dave Donaghy, he shared a lot of information with us on their plan for the Broncos to create the security and the confidence that everyone required.

“We were all on the same page. Brisbane knew where we stood, we knew where Brisbane stood and it was just dotting the Is and crossing the Ts.

“I always said Brisbane were in the box seat and we were hopeful of a great outcome and that outcome has come to fruition.

“Payne is ecstatic that the deal has been done.

“His future at the Broncos is secured and everything is set in stone for him to win a premiership at the club.”

The long-term retention of Haas gives Brisbane the Lazarus-like bookend that can form the bedrock for a premiership dynasty.

Glenn Lazarus playing for the Broncos in 1996.

Former Broncos super coach Wayne Bennett’s signing of Lazarus from Canberra in 1991 changed Brisbane’s destiny.

The Broncos won a watershed premiership in 1992 and went back-to-back the following season as front-row colossus Lazarus led the way in the engine room.

Walters played alongside Lazarus in those dual premiership triumphs and he believes Haas can be the cornerstone of a new Broncos title era.

“They have that win-at-all-costs mentality. Payne has that with his training and preparation and Lazzo’s record speaks for itself,” Walters said before last week’s 54-10 rout of the Eels.

“He (Haas) certainly is without a doubt (in the same league as Lazarus) and he is still so young as well.

“Lazzo was in an era where 80-minute props were a thing that happened naturally. There was no rest and no interchange.

“Payne has picked that baton up. You’ve got to drag him off sometimes because he wants to stay out and mix it with them.

“I see that and also their leadership on the field. If there is some hard work to be done Payne is the first one to put his hand up to do it in defence or attack.

“That was certainly a quality that Lazzo brought ... Payne brings a specialty that very few players can bring to a forward pack.

“It’s a great achievement (playing 100 games) and I’d like to be standing here when he chalks up 200 games, which I believe will happen.”