NRL 2022: Payne Haas says Sonny Bill Williams helped put Broncos contract spat into perspective

Sonny Bill Williams is no stranger to contract disputes, and NSW prop Payne Haas reveals SBW has helped put his spat with the Broncos into perspective.

Payne Haas denies he is money hungry or greedy, insisting he is just trying to do what’s best for his family. Picture: Richard Dobson

Payne Haas barely had time to settle into his chair on the first floor of the Crowne Plaza in Coogee when the bombardment began. Was he greedy? Was it all about money? Would he be at the Broncos in a fortnight?

Haas barely raised a sweat as he answered each and every question, his relaxed response no doubt helped by a recent dose of persecutive he received from Sonny Bill Williams.

Williams has become one of the Brisbane and NSW prop’s sounding boards and he reminded Haas that some things in life are more important than money.

The words resonated on Monday as Haas discussed his contract spat with the Broncos, that could eventually lead to him leaving the club and threatened to cost him his place in the Blues side for the opening game of the State of Origin series.

“I have spoken to Sonny a few times (recently),” Haas said.

“He is trying to let me do my own thing and make sure I am all right. He does check on me a bit to see how I am.

“He has been good for me. He has been making sure I am all right, making sure I am coping with this stuff. I know he has been through it – probably a bit worse than what I am going through.

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Payne Haas denies he is money hungry or greedy, insisting he is just trying to do what’s best for his family. Picture: Richard Dobson

“He is telling me to keep my head and stick to footy – that is what you do best and that is all that matters. The problems I am going through now are nothing compared to what some people are going through.

“People have houses getting taken off them, losing family members. I have seen some things that I wish no kid could ever see.

“This is nothing compared to the things some people go through in life, the pressure they have to go through. Mums and dads trying to put food on the table for kids and not knowing how they are going to do it.

“That is when problems start to happen. What I am going through at the moment has nothing compared to them. It is only contract stuff.”

Haas has been front and back page news for days amid claims that he is holding the Broncos to ransom. There has been talk that he wants clauses put in any new contract with Brisbane that give him the ability to leave if the club doesn’t continue to show improvement.

He doesn’t deny that winning is one of his priorities. So too is securing the future, not just for him but for his young family, in particular his daughter Lalita.

Haas has revealed, former NRL star Sonny-Bill Williams has been checking in on him and helping put the drama into perspective. Picture: Getty Images.

“She is one now, just turned one,” he said.

“I think everyone else would be like that – trying to do what is best for their family and trying to set them up for life as well.

“I am not trying to set myself up, I am trying to set up my daughter and her kids as well. Hopefully God willing, I can get that for her.

“As long as they are happy – and whatever makes them happy – that is what I base my decision on. What is best for them and my daughter – that is what I am basing it on now.”

Haas requested a release from the Broncos last Wednesday but insists he remains committed to the club. The Broncos have tabled a long-term extension but Haas says he has no interest in tying himself down for a long time. He has been labelled money-hungry, an accusation he flatly rejects.

“The worst thing is about the money stuff,” he said.

“It (The Broncos offer) is the same deal that they offered me last year. The same exact deal. Six years – my last contract I made a mistake signing too long.

“I didn’t want to make the same mistake. I don’t want to sign a six year deal I will say that.”

Haas has revealed he does not want to sign a long-term deal. Picture: NRL Photos.

He was roundly jeered on home turf last weekend but says his mother took more offence than he did. He can understand the reaction of Broncos fans but is also relieved to be out of the Brisbane bubble, free to focus on Origin and helping NSW to another series win.

There were initial concerns his contract spat may cost him his place in the side but Fittler stuck solid and Haas wants to repay the loyalty.

“If he didn’t chose me I would have understood why,” Haas said.

“He has now and I am here now. I am humbled that Freddie put his faith in me. Freddie is a good dude and he is easy to talk to.”

He will deal with his contract situation when he returns to the Broncos.

“I just want to win games,” he said.

“I have said that before – I just want to help the team. At the Broncos this year we are going good now – top four.
“There his no hard feelings from the boys. I love the boys at the Broncos. Everyone knows that. I am having fun there. ”