‘They’re definitely playing’: Massive boost for Broncos with Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan set to play after Origin heroics

Payne Haas is set to prove why he’s the best prop in the world, with the Broncos star expected to take on Manly just days after dominating the State of Origin opener.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has declared prop forward Payne Haas is “definitely playing” after his herculean performance in the front row for NSW on Wednesday night despite barely training due to a quad injury.

Haas was named man of the match in the game one win on the back of 138m, 27 tackles and zero misses after being in doubt for the Suncorp Stadium showdown.

The machine in the middle didn’t train with the team for the first few days of camp but played like a man possessed to help the Blues take a 1-0 series lead.

There would be no shame in him wanting to rest up after a bruising battle on Wednesday, but he and front row partner Pat Carrigan are both set to take on Manly in a rare trip to Brookvale.

Payne Haas is set to back-up for the Broncos after a huge game for NSW. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“They’re definitely playing,” Maguire said.

“I’ll wait and see (how many minutes they play) depending on how they’re playing.

“Payne played a lot of time the other night and so did Patty. The amount of work they did for both teams was exceptional, so I’ll just manage that as the game goes.”

Maguire was thrilled to see the Blues win in enemy territory after he guided the team to a famous series victory last year, although he didn’t want to gloat too much given he’s now coaching the biggest club in Queensland.

He has other things to worry about this weekend, with Maguire making a couple of key changes to the spine with Cory Paix starting at hooker and Jesse Arthars moving to fullback.

Reece Walsh is still a week away as he recovers from a knee injury, with Arthars switching roles with Selwyn Cobbo, who will play on the wing after missing out on the Maroons side.

Jesse Arthars will start at fullback for the Broncos after a strong start to the year on the left wing. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“They’ll probably interchange a little bit, but Jesse has got a lot of energy with what he’s doing,” the coach explained.

“Being able to utilise both he and big ‘Selly’ in a different way is something that I’m going to look at.”

The Broncos start the round in eighth spot, but there is plenty of focus on a team that has lost three on the trot since their epic upset win over the Bulldogs.

They were fantastic that night but haven’t replicated that form, with Brisbane coming off a 30-26 loss to the Dragons that few saw coming before last week’s bye.

Effort and team cohesion have been questioned since then, but Maguire is confident his players can turn things around with ease.

“To be honest, it’s pretty easy. And the players can actually see that,” he said.

“It’s about individuals working hard with each other. There was a great bond with this group and that’s why I’ve really enjoyed coaching the group.

“But you’ve got to be able to use that in games because the momentum of games is what it’s about. When it swings on you, you’ve got to be able to make sure you come together, which I can see the boys doing.”

Originally published as ‘They’re definitely playing’: Massive boost for Broncos with Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan set to play after Origin heroics