NRL 2023: Broncos star Payne Haas’ extra 12 days leave after mother’s manslaughter charges

Payne Haas was a notable no-show at the Broncos as his family deals with the fallout from the car crash that has resulted in manslaughter charges against his mother.

Broncos star Payne Haas has not reported for pre-season training after his mother was charged with three counts of manslaughter.

Haas was a notable absentee when the Broncos returned from their Christmas break at Red Hill on Wednesday.

He has been granted an extra 12 days’ leave as his family deals with the fallout from an horrific car crash on the Gold Coast last week that claimed three lives.

Haas’ mother Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, 46, was charged on Monday with three counts of manslaughter and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evading police, and unlicensed driving.

Uiatu "Joan" Taufua, mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been changed with multiple counts of manslaughter after the crash that killed three people.

She was transported from Gold Coast University Hospital to the Southport watch house on Tuesday night after being treated for injuries resulting from the Bonogin crash on December 30.

Police will allege Ms Taufua was driving a black Mercedes wagon dangerously a short time before colliding with another vehicle.

She was allegedly unlicensed and had sped away from police – who activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to intercept her – just before the crash.

Retired doctor Christopher Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and Susan’s daughter Steffanie Zimmer, 35, died at the scene.

Taufua was filmed limping into the watch house alongside police with her left arm in a cast.

Haas was expected to join his teammates at Broncos HQ on Wednesday morning, but was a late withdrawal.

He is now slated to return on January 16 as coach Kevin Walters ramps up pre-season training before the Broncos kick off their trials campaign in February.

Haas, 23, withdrew from selection consideration for Australia and Samoa for last year’s World Cup to recover from injuries and spend time with his family after Taufua was jailed for a month following the assault of two security guards at a Gold Coast casino.

Haas is now slated to return to pre-season training on January 16. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Haas was crowned Brisbane’s best player for the fourth successive season last year and spoke about supporting his family in September while his mother was incarcerated.

“It was pretty hard to pull out of the World Cup,” Haas said at the time.

“I spoke to Mal (Meninga, Kangaroos coach) and I told him I wanted to represent Australia. I was born here and I am an Aussie first. I was tossing and turning over it for a couple of weeks.

“I just thought this time now, especially with my body, it didn’t pull up well this year and with all the stuff going on with my family (the jailing of his mum), I felt like I needed to be at home.

“As the older sibling, I feel I need to be there for my little brothers and give them a bit of guidance.

“I felt that was more important than going over to England to play in the World Cup.

“I felt like I had to be here for my family and look after myself.”

Taufua was released from prison in October and was on parole at the time of the Bonogin crash.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos star Payne Haas’ extra 12 days leave after mother’s manslaughter charges