Payne Haas’ heartbreaking admission over jailed mother

Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has opened up on the phone call he won’t forget and the pain behind his mother’s arrest.

Payne Haas' heartbreak over jailed mother

Broncos superstar Payne Haas has opened up on his heartbreak at not being able to see his mother since she was jailed for a fatal accident that killed three people in December last year.

Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua, 46, has been in custody since allegedly veering onto the wrong side of the road and crashing into an oncoming vehicle while fleeing police in the Gold Coast hinterland, killing everyone but her.

Police charged her with three counts of manslaughter and one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a license.

Haas revealed he has been unable to see or speak to his mother since she was taken into custody, having breached prior bail conditions.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Haas said he won’t forget the call from his father about the accident.

Payne Haas pictured back at the Brisbane Broncos pre season training in Redhill, Brisbane 16th January 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

Haas mother at a police watch house. Source: 9 News.

“I won’t lie and say it’s been easy,” he said.

“It’s been really tough.

“I’m lucky I’ve got a good support network around me, I’ve got my partner and daughter.

“I missed the World Cup last year to be with my family.

“We saw what happened with mum (during the year) and my shoulders were busted at the time.”

Taufua served time behind bars last year over an assault on the Gold Coast.

“Just for my head, I thought it was best I stay back in Brisbane and be with family and look after myself and them,” said Haas.

“I wanted to be with my little brothers and sisters and my partner and daughter because they go through everything with me – they carry the same burden.”

The 23-year-old describes himself as close with his mother, saying he was a “mummy’s boy.”

Tuafua’s next court appearance is March 9, a day before the Broncos’ home opener against the Cowboys.

Uiatu "Joan" Taufua, mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, was on parole when she allegedly caused a triple-fatal crash on the Gold Coast.

The 46-year-old was the sole survivor of a two-car crash in which three occupants of a silver Mercedes, two women and a man from the same family were killed at Bonogin on December 30.

She suffered multiple fractures, internal injuries and bruised lungs from the crash and had been under secure police guard until she had recovered enough to be moved to a police watch house.

In the wake of the incident, the Brisbane Broncos confirmed Haas had been granted personal leave. He returned to the training track with his teammates in mid-January.