Payne Haas puts R360 talks on hold amid contract confusion
Broncos star Payne Haas has put talks over a potential $10 million code switch to rebel rugby union competition R360 on hold, amid confusion over his management’s obligations to the NRL.
Brisbane superstar Payne Haas has postponed a zoom meeting with rebel rugby union competition R360 over a potential $10 million mega-switch while his management company seeks clarity over their obligations with the NRL.
Haas and his manager Ahmad Merhi were scheduled to hold talks with R360 officials on Wednesday afternoon but opted to delay discussions for the time being.
This masthead understands that Merhi wrote to the NRL on Tuesday seeking clarity around his obligations as an accredited agent and Haas’ obligations as a player given the Brisbane superstar doesn’t enter the final year of his current deal until November 1.
Under NRL rules, players are banned from speaking to rival clubs until they enter the final 12 months final of their contract. Merhi and Haas are seeking clarity around whether the same rules apply to rugby union.
Their formal approach to the NRL comes as the game goes on the warpath over R360 – senior club officials will meet NRL powerbrokers on Wednesday afternoon to discuss potential sanctions against players and agents involved with rebel competition.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has made no secret of his disdain for the competition, dismissing it as a creation out of a Cornflakes box and warning players that all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold.
Merhi has made it clear that Haas won’t play for another rugby league club other than the Broncos but the sheer volume of money on offer at R360 has left them with little choice but to hold discussions before making a decision on his future.
Sources with knowledge of the talks suggest Haas could be offered as much as $US2 million a season to switch codes and play in the inaugural season of R360 next year.
That is the equivalent of $3 million, a figure no rugby league could match. There is also the potential for tax breaks should Haas domicile himself in Dubai – sources suggest he could earn the equivalent of $10 million for a two-year stint in R360.
It is understood that Haas’ camp will want at least a two year deal before considering a switch to the fledgling competition.
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Haas, who was named in the Samoa side for the Pacific Championships on Tuesday, is coming off an outstanding season that was capped with the first premiership of his career.
It is understood he is happy in Brisbane and is unlikely to contemplate playing for another NRL team. However, the chance to make life-changing money in rugby union with R360 has left Haas and Merhi with little choice to explore their options.
It is understood a handful of NRL players have already committed to joining R360 for its inaugural season, which kicks off on October 2 next year.
Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has already committed to join R360 while Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen, South Sydney’s Jye Gray and Parramatta’s Zac Lomax have all been linked with the fledgling competition.
Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona has also spoken to R360 but it is understood he has cooled on a switch to the competition.
Under the terms of R360’s short-form contract obtained by this masthead, the new competition would require players to undergo medicals before Christmas – potentially while they are still under contract with NRL clubs.
Their deals would also run from July 1 next year, again when they are potentially under contract with NRL clubs.
The prospect of Haas making the switch would be a body-blow to the NRL given the Broncos prop is regarded as the best forward in the competition.
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