Horrific car accident shaped Broncos star Payne Haas’ life and career

HE'S the most celebrated teenager in rugby league, but before he was even born his life was marked by a tragedy that lives on through his name. Read about the Broncos rookie's incredible story here.

Payne Haas made his debut for the Broncos against South Sydney. Picture: AAP

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PAYNE Haas can’t remember the moment his family car was destroyed in a high-speed car crash, but his first name is an enduring reference to the pain of a tragedy that has been his making.

The truth is Haas should be dead.

Every day, he counts his blessings that he – and his quadriplegic brother Chase – are still alive.

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Payne Haas’ imposing size and power will be key for the injury-plagued Broncos in 2018. Picture: Peter Wallis

At 117kg, Haas has put his young body on the line against some of the best props in the business, seasoned enforcers were out to physically and mentally batter him - and he outperformed them all.

But Haas has been mentally steeled for these moments. He was taught the most heartbreaking life lesson before he was even born.

Haas’ father, Gregor, recalls the terror of his best mate losing control and smashing their family vehicle into a tree near Canberra nearly two decades ago.

Gregor’s friend died in the crash. Gregor’s wife, Joan, was sitting in the back seat carrying their unborn third child in her womb.

Their second oldest child, Chase, was five months old, strapped into a baby seat.

The whiplash from the collision snapped his spinal cord.

Payne Haas (far left) with his family. His brother Chase is pictured at the front.

Chase has been in a wheelchair for 17 years. This heartbreaking story could have easily fractured the Haas family. Instead, it has bonded them. Chase is Payne’s “hero”, the older sibling he will plays for when he charges onto the field.

“That’s why I have got the name Payne,” Haas says.

“My mum named me Payne because she was pregnant with me at the time of the crash. She felt I was lucky to be alive after the pain we went through as a family.

“I have my football heroes like Petero Civoniceva (Broncos front-row legend), but my real hero is my older brother, Chase.

“He was two years old when he went into a wheelchair and he gives me strength every day to keep on going.

“My inspiration to do well in rugby league is the lessons I have learned in life. Growing up, all I knew was my brother in a wheelchair and it’s taught me to appreciate what I have in life.

“My brother is everything to me. Chase makes me strive to be the best I can because of him.”

Payne Haas in action against South Sydney in his NRL debut. Picture: AAP/Brendan Esposito

Gregor admits through the dark times, it was the pure love of family that kept them strong.

“You can never prepare to hear your child will be a quadriplegic,” he says.

“It was a very painful time, but we just coped the best way we could.

“I think it explains Payne’s maturity. He’s had to grow up around a brother who has special needs. It’s taken a lot patience and understanding.”

It was Wayne Bennett’s understanding of disability that helped him strike a bond with Haas.

When the Australian Schoolboys star was off-contract two years ago, he had interest from all 16 NRL clubs, plus an offer to try his hand at gridiron in the American college system.

Haas then spoke with Bennett, who has two disabled children.

When the pair had a follow-up meeting to formally ink Haas’ Broncos deal, Bennett chuckled when Chase wheeled himself into the office and said: “Talk to me. I’m his manager”.

Softly-spoken and well-mannered, Haas’ polite demeanour belies his intimidating 195cm, 117kg frame. He is a tribute to parents Gregor and Joan, who live a happy, simple life in the Gold Coast hinterland with their 10 offspring.

Payne Haas (centre) with fellow Broncos players at a training session at Red Hill. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Haas still lives at home. Feeding an army of kids costs a fortune. Gregor drives a minibus to ferry his veritable cricket team of a family around town and estimates he spends $900 a week on groceries.

Such is Haas’ talent, NRL rivals were already prepared to offer him in excess of $500,000 a season before he played a game. Gregor wants nothing from his son except the promise of extracting every ounce of his potential in a sport he loves.

“I’ve told Payne, I don’t care about money, I don’t want your money,” Gregor says.

“Payne always loved his football. I remember even as a little boy, the only way to get him to sit still was to switch on the TV and put the rugby league on.”

Haas is arguably the fittest forward in rugby league. In pre-season 2018, Broncos skipper Darius Boyd was leading a 3km run.

The only other Bronco beside him was Haas, a man 23kg heavier.

Payne Haas’ father Gregor says former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett understands his son. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

His fitness is not necessarily genetic. The Haas family home sits on seven acres. Their angled driveway doubled as Payne’s virtual athletics track.

“Payne has been training for the NRL since he was 12,” Gregor says.

“I’ve measured our driveway and it’s exactly 350 metres long. Well, Payne would run up and down it constantly. Sometimes, he would do 30 and 40 laps of the driveway to make sure his fitness would never let him down.”

Before his debut last year, Haas, his DNA shaped by tragedy, said he was ready for the Bulldogs assault.

“It’s good to get out there against men, they are getting stuck into me which is fine,” he says.

“I don’t really listen to the hype. I take it day by day and try to improve myself. I am here to play football and have fun.

“I’m never going to get a big head. You have to keep yourself grounded and I feel I have good people around me who keep my feet on the ground.”

Good people like Chase Haas, the man who taught his brother to smile, and endure, through the pain.

Originally published as Horrific car accident shaped Broncos star Payne Haas’ life and career