NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos order Payne Haas to work with police
Fed up with his attitude towards authority, the Brisbane Broncos will order Payne Haas to work with police as punishment for a drunken incident.
NRL
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Broncos bad boy Payne Haas will be ordered to complete a police education course as part of his punishment for allegedly abusing authorities.
Haas will face court in Tweed Heads on Tuesday after being charged with intimidating police and using offensive language during a drunken incident on January 16 in the northern NSW town.
While he is facing a possible suspension from the NRL, Haas will also be ordered to become “Policeman Payne” as part of his sanctions.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Brisbane bosses will order Haas to work with police in an attempt to improve his respect for authorities.
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Haas, 21, was handed a four-game ban in 2019 after failing to properly comply with an NRL Integrity Unit investigation into incidents involving his family and violence in the community.
The Broncos have concerns about Haas’ attitude towards police and other authoritative figures and will take steps to address the issues surrounding their best player of the past two years.
The NRL and Broncos will not issue Haas’ sanctions until the completion of his court case where the facts of the incident are expected to be aired.
If he is suspended it will be a bitter blow for new coach Kevin Walters, who is hoping Brisbane can get off to a strong start in 2021 after collecting last year’s wooden spoon.
Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva has been tasked with mentoring Haas as part of his new welfare role at Red Hill.
Civoniceva believes Haas’ police incident was a blip on the radar and backed the NSW Origin star to bounce back.
“It’s been a challenging time for Payne (following the death of his older brother Chace last year),” Civoniceva said.
“It’s up to the club to put the right people around him to carry the burden at times.
“That’s what it was for him with the challenge’s he’s had. He is a young man and continuously learning.
“When I was that age I certainly made lots of mistakes. You’re learning all the time.
“There is no doubt around his stature at the club. He is a wonderful leader and great young bloke.
“It’s about pushing forward. The expectation on Payne is a great one and we know what he can bring and the influence he has among the playing group.
“Payne will pay the price for what happened, but he is determined to work his way back and be the forward leader we need him to be.”
Haas has won the Broncos’ Paul Morgan Medal for being the club’s player of the year for the past two seasons.
He is an integral part of the team and will this week learn whether he is available for the opening rounds of the NRL season which starts on March 12 when the Broncos host Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium.
Originally published as NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos order Payne Haas to work with police