NRL 2024: Payne Haas eyes shock Broncos return for Battle of Brisbane against Dolphins

The Broncos have received a massive boost on the eve of the Battle of Brisbane against the Dolphins, with Payne Haas returning to training as he eyes a shock early return.

Payne Haas (right) has returned to Broncos training, as he edges closer to a shock return. Picture: Liam Kidston

Broncos vice-captain Pat Carrigan is wary of the Wayne Bennett factor as star prop Payne Haas edges closer to a shock return for Saturday night’s Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos received a huge boost with Haas training on Wednesday for the first time in three weeks after injuring his foot in Brisbane’s heavy 46-18 loss to the Titans in round 22.

Haas was expected to be sidelined until week one of the finals – if Brisbane get that far – but Broncos coach Kevin Walters is prepared to roll the dice in a desperate bid to keep his side’s slim finals hopes alive.

Haas initially trained with the second-string Renegades before finishing the session running well with the main squad in the strongest sign yet he is poised for an early comeback.

Payne Haas (right) has returned to Broncos training, as he edges closer to a shock return. Picture: Liam Kidston

The next 48 hours will be crucial but Brisbane are putting their trust in Haas and if the NSW Origin enforcer trains well at the captain’s run on Friday, he will be back in business primed to deliver the bullet to Bennett’s Dolphins.

While Carrigan was talking down Haas’ hopes of playing, the sight of him running at training is evidence Brisbane’s no.1 prop is seriously considering taking on the Dolphins.

“He has been training really well,” Carrigan said.

“I’m not sure if he will play, that was his first bit of involvement with skills so we will see how he goes, but he is the ultimate professional.

“It was a bit of a reintroduction for him, I’m not really across it, but that was his first day of skills.”

There were initial fears Haas would miss the rest of the season with his Lisfranc injury.

The 118kg enforcer has been told he doesn’t require surgery unless there is a fresh aggravation, which could happen if Haas sustains more damage by playing against the Dolphins.

But it appears Haas is prepared to take that risk in a bid to propel the Broncos to the finals, with Brisbane needing to win their final two games to have any hope of a top-eight berth to avoid a horror season.

The Broncos initially feared Haas would be ruled out for some time, but could rush him back in a desperate bid to make finals. Picture: Getty Images

Carrigan says the return of Haas would instantly boost spirits.

“If he does play, it’s Payne Haas, you know watching him how good he is,” he said.

“There’s no pressure on him, he has had that injury and we are looking for him to recover, get it right and hopefully he is good for Melbourne (next week).

“It will be good (if he returns against the Dolphins. He missed out on surgery, so if he does (get out there) it will be a little win for him.

“His foot hasn’t come off the pedal. He has been leading the way in rehab and consistency is what he brings.

“If he was to get out there it would be awesome.”

This is the fourth instalment of the Battle of Brisbane and it doesn’t get any bigger. The stakes are Everest-high. Both teams are locked on 26 competition points and the loser will be a finals write-off for 2024.

Bennett has lost all three Battle of Brisbane derbies, providing further incentive for the departing Dolphins super coach to bury the Broncos club that sacked him in 2018.

Carrigan (centre) is wary of the Wayne Bennett factor, ahead of the Broncos clash with the Dolphins. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Wayne will have them ready to go,” Carrigan said.

“We’re on the same points as them so I don’t know if we can say they are going backwards.

“That’s what he (Bennett) is good at, bringing the best out in people and they have a real quality outfit with veterans who know how to get the job done and some really exciting players.

“Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) and Herbie (Farnworth), those guys are tough every week.

“Brissy has really bought into this contest and there is a lot on the line this week so I can’t wait to play.

“We will be ready to go.”

Carrigan dismissed suggestions the Broncos don’t deserve to make the finals and have lacked desire this season amid claims of a grand-final hangover.

Asked if Brisbane have underachieved, he said: “No. We are still playing footy. We are in this position.

“I didn’t feel it (the side’s fighting character) ever left us, we were unlucky in some games this year and we had a lot of injuries, even losing outside backs midgame.

“The fight has always been there, we just lacked a bit of polish and connection, but we are starting to get that cohesion back a bit.

“All we can do is take it week-by-week. If we keep winning games who knows what you will be saying then.”