Broncos suspend Payne Haas for four weeks and fine him $20,000

Fined $20,000 and banned for four NRL games for failing to comply with an NRL integrity unit probe, Brisbane’s rookie prop Payne Haas declared he would spend five years making up for his mistake.

• TROUBLE: Payne Haas stood down by Broncos

• WARNING: Jamil Hopoate’s warning to young stars

Suspended rookie prop Payne Haas has spoken of his disappointment at letting down Brisbane bosses and has vowed not to ruin his promising NRL career at the Broncos.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Haas will miss the start of the premiership, with Broncos CEO Paul White confirming the 19-year-old had been fined $20,000 and banned for four NRL games for failing to comply with an NRL integrity unit probe.

Haas was also axed from Saturday night’s trial against Wynnum Manly, just 24 hours after being named in the starting side to face the Seagulls at Kougari Oval.

Payne Haas will miss the first four weeks of the season.

Haas – considered a certainty to be in Brisbane’s top 17 this season – will miss the Broncos’ first month of premiership games against Melbourne, the Cowboys, Dragons and the Roosters.

The 117kg prop is rated the NRL’s next front-row superstar.

Contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2024, Haas last night told The Courier-Mail he will not let the first serious incident of his embryonic career derail his dream of being a 10-year Bronco.

“I accept the Broncos decision,” said Haas, who spoke with coach Anthony Seibold yesterday about his demotion for this week’s trial.

“I understand I have let the Broncos and myself down on this occasion.

“I will spend the next five years of my career here with the Broncos making it up to those who have shown faith in me.”

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White acted decisively.

While White said Haas was not guilty of any unlawful offence, Broncos hierarchy took a dim view of the teenager’s reluctance to assist an NRL investigation into two off-field incidents involving family members last year.

One was an alleged matter involving violence, at which Haas was allegedly present, but not directly involved, prompting a member of the public to lodge a formal complaint with the Broncos.

Brisbane hierarchy escalated the complaint to NRL integrity unit officers, who subsequently interviewed Haas, but believed the talented forward provided limited information that stymied a thorough investigation.

The teenager now knows he can’t afford to make poor decisions. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

White said it was important to note that Haas was not subject to any police probe.

But he said Haas’ suspension for not complying with the NRL should serve as a warning to the entire Broncos squad of the expectation of upholding the values of Queensland’s flagship club under new coach Seibold.

“It is a heavy price to pay for Payne (missing four games), as well as receiving a substantial fine,” White said.

“But let me say his level of co-operation with the investigation led by the NRL fell short of our expectations and the standards we set at this club.

“We hope it sends a strong message that the values and conduct of everyone at the Broncos is of the utmost importance to the club.

“We have a duty to protect the reputation of our club and our game.

“What was good enough yesterday may not be good enough tomorrow. Payne needs to learn from this and so do we.

“The message is we are accountable.”

Haas’ management pledged to help the teenager through a difficult period and ensure he lifts his personal standards on and off the field to set himself up for a successful 2019 campaign.

“Payne is a young man who will learn from this and move forward,” said managing director of PSM Chris Orr.

“It is a big penalty for a young man at the start of his career ... but one he has accepted.”

Originally published as Broncos suspend Payne Haas for four weeks and fine him $20,000