Payne Haas reveals he has taken custody of his two younger brothers

Payne Haas has had to deal with some incredibly tough challenges in recent years, but he’s fighting to hold his family together. He reveals to PETER BADEL how.

Broncos rugby league superstar Payne Haas has revealed he has taken custody of his two younger brothers to show them the “right path” in the wake of his family’s year from hell.

On the eve of Brisbane’s season-opening blockbuster in Las Vegas, Haas - the National Rugby League’s No.1 prop - opened up about his off-field battle to provide love and stability for his younger siblings.

Haas faced one of the toughest challenges of his life last year when his mother Joan was charged with three counts of manslaughter following a high-speed car crash that led to the death of three people.

Now Haas, a hulking 118kg tower of strength for the Broncos on the field, is doing his best to hold his family together off it.

As he prepares to take on the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium, Haas spoke of being the father figure in his growing family unit. Not only is he a doting dad to his “miracle” daughter Lalita, who turns three in May, but Haas has stepped up and taken responsibility for his brothers Hans, 14, and Geejay, 12.

Payne Haas in Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

“It means the world to me to be a father,” Haas said.

“I have my daughter in my life and I now have my two little brothers living with me.

“I have taken them under our household to live with me.”

Few 24-year-olds have faced Haas’ hardships. His quadriplegic brother Chace passed away suddenly in 2020 due to respiratory failure. It sent Haas into a downward spiral, with the Broncos bookend clashing with police six months later in an alcohol-fuelled incident that saw him fined $50,000 and suspended for three matches by the NRL.

Then came the road-accident trauma involving his mother, who remains behind bars as she awaits her eventual fate in court.

In the absence of Joan, Haas’ father Gregor largely catered for the needs of their 10 children.

With Gregor having business interests overseas that require travel, Haas has shifted Hans and Geejay from their family home on the Gold Coast hinterland to live with him in Brisbane.

“I want to look over what they are doing in life and put them on the right path,” he said.

“I know my family has had some troubles lately in the last few years. I feel like it was best for them to come and live under my roof and let me guide them on the right path.

“Dad is overseas at the moment, so I wanted to be there for them.

“I’ve already got grey hairs growing looking after all these kids,” Haas adds with a laugh.

“It’s good. They are good boys and I love having my brothers around, they keep me on their toes.

Haas has become a father figure to his younger brothers. Pics Adam Head

“I have my partner there and she is the backbone of it all.

“I do love my family a lot so as long as they are good, I’m happy.”

Haas is the first to concede he endured a chequered start to his career at the Broncos.

But three key themes prompted a seismic shift in attitude: the support of the Broncos, his conversion to Islam with the help of sportins star Sonny Bill Williams, and the lessons imparted by his mother’s ordeal.

“Obviously it’s tough with Mum,” Haas said.

“But the thing I always revert back to is that there are people worse off than me.

“There are people in the world who are going through worse things than I am.

“That gives me a different perspective on things.

“There was another path in my life that I could have gone down, but I had good people around me and the path I am on is the right one.

“I am in LA, here in America, playing professional rugby league and seeing Vegas.

“It’s a pretty cool life. I’m very fortunate.”

Haas turned to Islamic faith in 2019, at age 19, and Williams, a devout Muslim, was a trusted mentor. The former NRL and All Blacks legend says Haas has developed into a leader on and off the field.

“It’s been great to see what Payne has done,” Williams said.

“He is special.

“From the path he has to walk and endure, to see him rise above that and shine is inspirational really.

“He hasn’t been perfect at times, but he is learning as he goes and I know that path and struggle myself. It’s quite nice to see him reach his potential on the field, but Inshallah (god willing), reach it off the field as well.”

Haas with his daughter Lala. Picture: Getty Images

Of Haas’ conversion to Islam, SBW said: “I wouldn’t say I’ve helped him on the field, he is a beast of a player and he doesn’t need any help.

“Off it, he is doing his thing, he is learning on the go and he is humble enough to understand he is not perfect and that’s all it is.

“You would have to ask Payne how it has affected him, but Islam teaches you to continually improve in the continuous pursuit of improving oneself, not just in your daily life but as a man from a spiritual point of view.

“You can see he is slowly growing every day to match that massive physique he has.

“People need to understand Payne is only 24 and he has learnt so many life lessons.

“When I was his age, I was still running amok. Payne has done so well. Sometimes it’s not about what you say to a fellow Muslim brother, but knowing you are there in his corner to support him no matter what.

“It’s quite humbling when people say I have helped Payne. I don’t consider myself his mentor. I would like to think that he knows as Muslim brother that has walked the same path he has walked, that I am in his corner, and I am willing to be in his corner no matter what.

“He is a big teddy bear now.

“He is a great human with a big heart and that’s the thing he needs to concentrate on, leaning in with his heart but understanding the blessing that he has.

“He can transform a lot of people’s lives just by being himself.”

Haas is now a member of Brisbane’s leadership group and lauded the support of Williams.

Once seen as an NRL wild child, Haas is Brisbane’s first ever $1 million forward and last year won the club player-of-the-year award, the Paul Morgan Medal, for a record fifth successive season.

“Sonny Bill has helped me a lot,” he said.

“He doesn’t bother me when I’m going well, but he will message me when I’m going through some tougher times and that’s what your good mate or brother does.

“He is not there to pat my back all the time, he is there to guide me and help me.

“If I need a kick in the ass sometimes, he is there for me. Sonny has been a blessing.”