NSW rookie prop Payne Haas’ incredible sacrifice for Ramadan

State of Origin is the toughest arena in football, and preparing for it can be just as gruelling. But for NSW’s 19-year-old powerhouse Payne Haas, his faith is adding an extra level of commitment.

Payne Haas has pushed himself to the limit despite fasting. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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It’s a cool 17 degrees in Sydney’s west and the winter sun is beating down on the NSW Blues as the whistle signals the end of another gruelling training session.

With hands on hips, clearly exhausted, players make a beeline for the water bottles.

All Payne Haas can do is stare as his fellow forward Jake Trbojevic takes a gulp.

Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink... for Payne Haas (R). Picture: Phil Hillyard

Ryan Matterson offers Haas his water bottle, but the giant teenager politely declines. Again.

For Haas is observing the month Ramadan, and as a Muslim, the powerhouse forward is fasting from sunrise to sunset.

When the fast breaks, he spends the four and a half hours between iftar, the first meal of the day, and his 10pm bedtime refuelling his depleted body.

And weighing 119kg and standing at 194cm, the Brisbane behemoth needs some feeding.

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Payne Haas has pushed himself to the limit despite fasting. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But instead of gorging, the imposing 19-year-old shows incredible discipline during this time.

“Aren’t you hungry? You’re a pretty big boy. Aren’t you hungry and thirsty? They’re the kinds of questions the boys always ask me about doing Ramadan,” Haas said.

The team sits down for dinner at around 6pm. Haas is permitted to break his fast at 5.30pm and he will snack on a couple of dates, a protein bar and drinks some water before joining his teammates when dinner is served, ensuring he never eats alone.

“I always try to eat with the team, so I go and get a snack and break my fast,” Haas said.

“I try to watch what I eat straight off the bat.

“If you eat too much too quickly, it can be bad for your body, so I try to time my eating.

“I’ll eat a little bit at dinner, get my carbs in, like pasta. There is usually steak or seafood as well. I wait until around 7.30-8pm and I’ll get again.

“I usually have what’s left over from dinner.

“Then at 10pm, I'll have some dessert. I try my best to get some znood [Lebanese pastry] or some mango sorbet — I love sorbet — and then I go to sleep.”

A znood — the Lebanese pastry which Haas treats himself to... after sunset.

Ramadan is an exercise in gratitude and self-discipline but for Haas the benefits have also extended beyond the mind.

“I reckon I’ve lost about 2.5 kilos so it has been good for me. I feel pretty good actually.

“I feel faster so maybe I should do it a bit more often,” he said with a laugh.

Ramadan culminates in a day of celebration known as Eid al Fitr — this year it lands on June 5, the same day as Game I of State of Origin.

That means Haas’ first ever Eid — he converted to Islam earlier this year — will coincide with his Origin debut. The significance is not lost on him.

“It means a lot to me.

“One of my mates pointed it out to me,” he said.

“It’s a special time and I know it’s a special time for Muslims. I get to represent my state and Muslims as well. I just can’t wait.”

HAAS’S EATING SCHEDULE

4.30am — Electrolytes, protein drink, oats

5.30pm — Water, dates, protein bar

6pm — Team dinner: pasta and a source of protein (steak or seafood)

8pm — Leftovers from dinner

10pm — Dessert: sorbet and Lebanese sweets

Originally published as NSW rookie prop Payne Haas’ incredible sacrifice for Ramadan