Payne Haas reportedly backflips on decision to leave Brisbane Broncos

Payne Haas has backflipped on his decision to leave Red Hill, with contract negotiations put on hold until the end of the year.

NRL 2022 RD12 Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans - Payne Haas Picture NRL Photos

Brisbane Broncos forward Payne Haas has backflipped on his decision to leave Red Hill, but contract negotiations put on hold until the end of the 2022 season.

Last week, the 22-year-old requested a release from his $800,000-a-year contract after his management asked for a pay rise.

His camp was reportedly seeking $1 million for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, plus a one-year upgrade of $1.2 million for 2025.

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The Broncos fired back via a statement on its website: “Payne Haas is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2024 NRL Season. The Club will not be entertaining a release.

“The Club remains in ongoing discussions with Payne’s management about what the next phase looks like for him at the Broncos.

“That includes ongoing dialogue about an extension to his current contract.”

But as first reported by the The Courier Mail, Haas has withdrawn his request for a release following a series of crisis talks between the two parties.

“The Broncos have declared they are confident Haas will stay at the club despite threatening to walk out just days ago,” former New South Wales representative Braith Anasta told Fox League’s NRL 360 on Tuesday evening.

“It was only last week that he said he wanted more money or he was about to walk or his management implied that. But all of a sudden there is a bit of a backflip and they have changed their tune.”

Soon after, the Broncos released a statement clarifying that discussions between Haas’ management and the club hierarchy have been put on hold until end of the year.

“Everyone at our club holds Payne in the highest regard and we feel it very important to have these confidential conversations at a time of the year when there are no distractions,” Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy said in a statement.

“Payne has been a big part of our club for a number of years and we are looking forward to welcoming him back once his State of Origin duties conclude.”

Payne Haas at a New South Wales Blues State of Origin squad training session. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Haas said in a statement: “I underestimated the public interest in my contract situation so want to put those discussions on hold and keep my focus where it needs to be.

“I want the fans to know that they will get nothing but my best every time I pull on a Broncos jersey.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “This whole thing has become a farce for Haas. A PR disaster from the start and now he looks very, very silly.”

News Corp journalist Paul Crawley told NRL 360: “It has been embarrassing, hurtful, shameful and now he has backtracked.

“I hope the boos ring out in his ears forever, and I hope it serves as a warning to every greedy player.”

Haas was named in the New South Wales squad on Sunday, having previously represented the Blues in seven State of Origin games and played two Tests for Australia.

The talented front-rower has won the Paul Morgan Medal for the Broncos’ Player of the Year three times.

During Friday’s comeback victory over the Gold Coast Titans, boos erupted from the crowd at Suncorp Stadium seemingly every time he touched the ball.