Western Force launches secret poaching bid for Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas

A surprise contender has emerged in the battle for Broncos star Payne Haas and it is backed by one of the richest men in the country.

Payne Haas.

Rugby Australia franchise the Western Force have launched a secret poaching bid for Payne Haas as the bidding war for the Broncos superstar intensifies.

This masthead can reveal the fight for Haas has gone cross-code with the Perth-based Force circling the Broncos prop following his bombshell decision to test his value on the open market as a free agent from November 1.

That revelation has sparked a market frenzy, with all 16 NRL rivals lodging expressions of interest, while an overseas rugby club has contacted Haas’ management offering a massive deal in excess of $1.5 million a season.

Now the hunt for Haas has extended to Australian rugby.

The Force have made preliminary inquiries with Haas’ management in the hope the Broncos enforcer will emulate Roosters whizkid Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii by switching codes to play for the Wallabies ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Rugby Australia chiefs are aware of the Force’s furtive poaching attempt.

It is understood Western Force bosses held recent discussions with Rugby Australia chiefs to gauge Haas’ interest before moving forward with an approach to the NSW Origin star’s management.

Rugby Australia has been made aware Western Force has

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan contacted the Haas camp in May and said he is open to more formal negotiations if the Broncos enforcer is genuine about a big-money code defection.

“Nothing more has happened from my side after my conversation with Payne’s dad,” McLennan told News Corp.

“There is definite interest there but I want Payne or his agent to come to us and say we’re serious.

“We want people who really want to be playing rugby union.

“Payne has to really want to be a Wallaby.”

The reality is the Force, for all their interest, cannot pull off a Haas heist without the financial backing of Rugby Australia.

Money is no impediment for RA, who have successfully lured Suaalii with a three-year, $1.6 million-a-season deal and are prepared to pay in excess of $1.2m annually to poach Haas from the Broncos.

The Broncos are strong favourites to retain Haas - they have tabled a three-year deal worth around $1.1m a season - and are in serious contention for their first premiership since 2006.

Haas last week spoke of his close friendship with dual international Sonny Bill Williams, who quit the NRL to eventually represent the All Blacks. SBW believes Haas would be a revelation in Wallaby gold.

“Of course he’d make it in rugby,” Williams said.

“He’s 120kg. He’s a pro. He’s one of the fastest and fittest at the Broncos. He’s one of their strongest.

“He would have to learn the subtleties of rugby. It wouldn’t take him too long.

“But Payne is a big boy, too, and can make his own decisions with good people around him.”

The 23-year-old Broncos sensation has ties to rugby - Haas was a member of Rugby Australia’s junior Wallabies program when he moved to the Gold Coast with his family as a 13-year-old.

The Force finished third last in this year’s 12-team Super Rugby Pacific competition and Haas has made it clear he is only interested in teams who can contend for titles.

It would take an enormous offer from NRL rivals or Rugby Australia to convince the 100-game Origin and Test prop to walk out on the resurgent Broncos.

His manager Ahmad Merhi declined to comment on the Force’s interest, saying his immediate focus is ongoing talks with Brisbane.

“We’re in dialogue with Brisbane at the moment and that’s the only club we are in talks with at the moment,” Merhi said.

“That’s the way it will stay until November 1.

“If talks are not successful with Brisbane, then we will go to November 1.

“The Broncos are in the box seat.

“There’s a lot of headlines at the moment but we are on the same page as the Broncos, there’s no dispute with us and Brisbane, but these deals take time. They don’t happen overnight.

“I don’t want to be sitting with other clubs if there’s no need to. I don’t want to be wasting anyone’s time.

“I believe Brisbane have the ability to get the deal done.”

Originally published as Western Force launches secret poaching bid for Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas