Brisbane believe Payne Haas is their best prop prospect since Petero Civoniceva

BRISBANE are doing all they can to dampen the hype around Payne Haas. But behind closed doors, the club is convinced the young tyro is their best front row prospect since Petero Civoniceva.

Payne Haas, Brisbane Broncos training, Purtell Park, Bardon. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

BRONCOS insiders have dubbed Payne Haas the new Petero Civoniceva and will take a safety-first approach to ensure their next front-row superstar doesn’t suffer NRL burnout.

Haas resembled a new-age version of Maroons legend Civoniceva as the teenage sensation tore through the rucks in Brisbane’s trial defeat of the Capras last week in Theodore.

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In his first senior Broncos game, Haas tormented Capras defenders, with the 18-year-old regularly making 15 metre-charges and offloading at will in a man-of-the-match display.

The physical parallels between Civoniceva and Haas are eerie. In his pomp as Brisbane, Queensland and Australia’s engine-room enforcer, Civoniceva weighed 116kg and stood 193cm.

Haas has a similar frame to the Broncos legend.

Haas is precisely the same weight and height — and the scary part is the Australian Schoolboys monster threatens to get bigger.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is trying to temper the hype around Haas but privately Brisbane’s development scouts believe he is the best prop to come through their ranks since Civoniceva and Shane Webcke.

Haas’ trial debut franked the belief that he will be blooded in the NRL at some stage this season but Broncos assistant Kevin Walters says it is critical not to rush the young front-rower.

“Payne is a special talent, there’s no doubt about that,” Walters said.

“He really barrels through the line. Petero was like that but Payne just has to be himself.

“He’s only young so we’re wary of putting too much pressure on him.

“Payne is very hard to handle physically but we still need to remember his age and how young he is.

Brisbane are wary of putting too much pressure on Haas.

“I know he has a huge body but that’s one thing Wayne Bennett has been very good at. He is good at bringing those younger players in and around the environment at the right time.

“Wayne understands more than anyone about the different maturity require in the front row at NRL level.”

It is a measure of Haas’ talent that he has charted the development curve faster than Civoniceva at the same age.

Bennett wasn’t sure about Civoniceva’s ability as a teenager and it took the wise assessment of legendary scout Cyril Connell to convince the super coach the Fijian hulk could make it.

Bennett eventually handed Civoniceva his NRL debut at age 22. He went on to become a Broncos legend, playing 309 NRL games, 33 Origin games and 45 Tests for Australia.

There is one key difference between Civoniceva and Haas. If the young gun one day plays State of Origin, it will be for NSW.

Despite playing much of his junior footy in Queensland, Haas is eligible for NSW.

“He is a freak,” says Broncos assistant coach Kurt Richards. “Payne has a bit to learn about the game but he listens and learns.

“I’d say he will play a fair bit of Intrust Super Cup this year and if he is good enough, he will get an opportunity in the NRL at some stage.

“But we don’t rush young players too early, it’s important we look after Payne at this stage of his career.”

Over summer, Haas flogged his more senior forwards in fitness drills and time trials, leaving veteran Bronco Sam Thaiday in no doubt the prop has the size and motor to debut in the NRL this year.

“He has impressed me and at some point during the year it will be the young guys’ time to shine,” Thaiday said.

“Could Payne play in round one? That’s not my choice, it’s up to Wayne.”