NRL 2023: NSW, Broncos star Payne Haas opens up on family struggles, his mums time in jail and Origin opener
Payne Haas admits he’s playing for more than just his state in the Blues’ Origin opener, as the NSW enforcer opens up on his families’ struggles.
Broncos powerhouse Payne Haas has opened about his mum’s time in the “slammer” and how important family is for the game’s best front-rower.
Haas’ mum Joan Taufua is behind bars, charged with three counts of manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a licence, after a high-speed crash in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30 that claimed the lives of three people.
The crash killed retired doctor Chris Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and her daughter Steffanie, 35, with police alleging Taufua veered on to the wrong side of the road and collided with their car.
The matriarch of the Haas family is now in jail on remand as her case proceeds through court.
The Haas family took another hit this month with younger brother Zeda, 19, lucky to survive a suspected overdose of the powerful drug GHB, or Fantasy, on May 14.
Haas spoke with his mother on Sunday and delivered the good news that he was back in the Blues fold.
The barnstorming prop carries a heavy burden as the powerhouse leader of the Broncos pack. Then again, it’s nothing compared to the knowledge that his mother may spend years at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre, west of Brisbane.
“I actually spoke to her (on Sunday) on the phone and told her the news,” Haas said.
“It is good to hear from my mum. I do love her dearly. She was happy. She makes sure I stay grounded and tells me how it is.
“Any way I can make her days a bit better while she is in the slammer at the moment, I will try to do that.”
Haas admits he will be playing in State of Origin for more than just himself next week.
“Of course, especially when I run out with the family name on my back,” Haas said.
“Obviously my mum has done a lot for me growing up and she was the first person to believe in me as a kid, and make this dream a reality. I will run out with this name on my back and I will do it for them.”
Despite being in custody, she will be able to watch the State of Origin opener in prison. Her son will be doing his best to make her proud.
“She is watching,” he said.
“I think Channel 9 games she is allowed to watch. We get heaps of Channel 9 games at the Broncos, so that helps.”
Haas will head into the Origin series in the rarest of form, on track to become the first prop in the game’s history to win its highest individual honour – the Dally M award.
He seemingly raises the bar for props on a weekly basis and the frightening part is that even his teammates acknowledge he is yet to reach his potential.
“When you think he has hit the ceiling, he is bashing it down and who knows where he can push himself to,” Haas’ front-row partner Junior Paulo said.
“I think it is true what they are saying – he is a once-in-a-generation front-rower. It’s is funny to say but he is still only a baby. He has set the standard very high and all you want to do is go out there and play beside him.”
Asked whether Haas could finish his career as the greatest prop in the game’s history, Paulo said: “It is a big statement to make but he … has plenty of years ahead of him.”
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