NRL 2024: Michael Maguire says Payne Haas has captaincy qualities after star prop returns early for Brisbane Broncos pre-season

Michael Maguire might have identified a new captain at the Broncos for life after Adam Reynolds, with the new coach heaping the praise on prop Payne Haas for his role in Brisbane’s 2025 preparations.

Brisbane Broncos first day of training for 2024. Payne Haas. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Broncos coach Michael Maguire believes Payne Haas has captaincy qualities and says Brisbane’s $1 million enforcer will be a key weapon in his mission to break the club’s 19-year title drought.

It is a measure of Haas’ character that the NSW Origin prop attended day one of the Broncos’ pre-season, two weeks ahead of schedule, to help his teammates beat the torrid Brisbane heat.

Haas has returned early of his own volition for weights and conditioning sessions.

While he only ran lightly on Monday as he recovers from foot surgery, the 24-year-old also took on a volunteer role passing water bottles to exhausted teammates.

The selfless, team-first attitude is evidence of Haas’ evolution and why he is regarded as a potential future leader by Maguire, who is tasked with delivering Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

Maguire coached Haas during NSW’s Origin series victory this year and was impressed by the prop’s attitude, saying the five-time Paul Morgan Medallist is precisely the type of winner he wants at Red Hill.

The foot operation has sidelined Haas for three to four months but he will get the green light for Brisbane’s 2025 premiership opener in March.

Payne Haas training with the Broncos on the opening day of their pre-season. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“He is in good shape,” Maguire said of Haas in his comeback from a Lisfranc injury.

“He is coming off injury, but it’s nice to see him on the field – he is looking in great nick.

“I have been chatting with Payne the last few weeks.

“In my time I had with Payne in Origin and the experiences we had, I really enjoyed his company.

“We know what he is capable of as a footballer but it’s nice to see a senior player here early (at Broncos training).

“He is around the players, he isn’t meant to be here for another couple of weeks but he was here walking water bottles around and being around the field.

“That’s a good sign of the camaraderie that’s around the group.

Maguire desperately needs a fit and firing Haas on deck for Brisbane to challenge for the premiership next season.

Haas and Tom Flegler were a dynamic duo in Brisbane’s charge to the 2023 grand final but the latter’s departure to the Dolphins this year imposed greater responsibility on the Blues bookend to spearhead the Broncos’ engine room.

Brisbane’s internal testing shows Haas is one of the club’s fittest players and while Pat Carrigan is being groomed to succeed Adam Reynolds as captain, Maguire values the 118kg enforcer enormously.

Haas played a key role as Maguire led the Blues to Origin glory, with the Broncos ace amassing a total of 377 metres, 84 tackles and 11 tackle busts from three games in NSW’s series win.

Maguire says Haas can be the spiritual leader of the Broncos.

“Payne was incredible in Origin,” Maguire said.

Michael Maguire got his first taste of coaching Payne Haas during State of Origin. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It was the first time I had a chance to spend a bit of time around Payne.

“We all know what an incredible person he is, but I feel that he can lift the group – I saw him do it with the Origin team.

“He was a leader. He was in our leadership group within the Origin space.

“Payne spoke very strongly about what he wanted in that space, which helped me immensely.

“So I’m going to call upon those sorts of things with Payne for sure here at the Broncos.

“I know one thing about Payne, he’s very hungry to succeed.

“That’s what I love about him.”

Maguire believes he can build a starting front row around Haas and Xavier Willison, who last week inked a two-year extension to remain at the Broncos.

Xavier Willison can form a strong front row combo with Payne Haas following his re-signing. Picture: NRL Imagery

The towering 22-year-old has enormous potential and the 30-game rookie could be a potent ally for Haas in 2025.

“Xavier is a real up-and-comer,” Maguire said.

“I have been watching ‘Xav’ for quite some time … just his engine, he is a quality player.

“He is only young, too, so he is still learning his way around the field.

“I’m looking forward to his growth moving forward.

“I have been here a few days now and I feel what the club means to a lot of players, but we have to do the hard work in pre-season and get that out when the time and the games start.”