NRL 2021: Competitive gun Payne Haas says complacency not his make-up on eve of record deal

Payne Haas has been rated the best young NRL prop in 20 years. When you hear him talk about winning titles, it’s no surprise the Broncos want to sign him to a record 10-year contract.

As Payne Haas prepares for Sunday’s clash against Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium, he said he had no plans to join former front-row partner Matt Lodge at the Red Hill exits, pledging to lead a new premiership era for the fallen glamour club.

Brisbane bosses have big plans to make Haas the generational face of the NRL’s richest club.

As revealed by News Corp last week, Haas’ management is in talks with the Broncos on a proposed 10-year, $10 million deal that, if ratified by the board, would make Haas the first $1 million-a-season forward in the club’s 33 years.

Despite Haas already being contracted until the end of 2024, more than 10 NRL rivals have expressed interest in the prospect of the NSW Origin enforcer quitting the struggling Broncos to chase his premiership dream elsewhere.

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Payne Haas produced a remarkable last-minute chase to deny Cronulla a try in Brisbane’s recent win at Suncorp Stadium.

But while engine-room cohort Lodge left after brokering a release to the Warriors, and his good mate David Fifita defected to the Titans, the 21-year-old hopes to play out his career at Brisbane.

“It is my goal to be a one-club player,” said Haas, who will back up after playing for NSW in their 20-18 loss to Queensland in Origin III on Wednesday night.

“I’m a pretty loyal person, it’s part of my upbringing. I like staying close to my family (who live on the Gold Coast).

“I know it’s not always easy to be loyal in rugby league, but I do want to stay at the Broncos.

“It was hard to see Matt (Lodge) leave. He’s my front-row partner and I felt bad for him and his family to have to leave, but it’s a professional sport in the NRL. You can’t be shocked anymore when players have to go.

“We can build something special as a pack. We have talented players coming through like Patty Carrigan, TC Robati and Brendan Piakura, so I want to be a part of turning things around.”

There are fears a lifetime deal could make Haas complacent; that he could cruise along in second gear secure in the knowledge he is financially set up for the remainder of his NRL career.

But those who understand Haas’ DNA know Brisbane’s $10 million investment would be the closest thing to a safe bet.

There is no more competitive beast in the NRL. Every play, every tackle, every collision, is a personal contest for Haas — and the 118kg hulk doesn’t accept losing.

Exhibit A came two weeks ago against Cronulla, when the Sharks broke away and looked certain to score in the final minute of the game.

The Broncos are keen to make Haas a generational poster boy for the club.

There was no incentive for any Brisbane player to give chase. They were up 26-18. The Broncos were home. But there was Haas, the biggest Bronco on the field, not only giving chase, but winning the race to bat the Steeden over the dead-ball line and deny Cronulla a consolation try.

Never complacent. Never satisfied. It’s a theme, an ethical standard, imparted by his father Gregor, who used to drive a 12-year-old Haas to select locations, drop him off, and make him run home to build the aerobic engine for NRL football.

“I just wanted to keep chasing the ball against the Sharks because that’s what my dad instilled in me,” he said. “As a kid, he would say, ‘You never stop chasing. Even if the guy is 20m away from you, you don’t stop’.

“At the time, I would think, ‘Why the hell am I going through this?’ But now I’ve started to realise when I am making Origin teams, and playing NRL, it comes back to all the hard yards I put in back then.

“I did a different kind of training. A lot of hill runs. Dad was in the military for a while and he brought that military mindset to his children. He put a hard edge into me. There were no shortcuts.”

Brisbane’s woes have only fuelled Haas’ motivation to win a premiership for the Broncos.

It’s why Haas isn’t getting carried away with talk of a 10-year contract. Whether he signs for one week, one year or 10, the behemoth is always hungry.

His numbers for a big man are phenomenal. In his 53 games, he has amassed 1920 tackles at an average of 36 per game. He has 8978 career running metres at 169m per week, and a total of 200 tackle busts. What can’t be measured is his competitive drive.

“I would never get complacent with a long deal, I’m too competitive,” he said.

“Nothing has been finalised with that (his 10-year deal). I haven’t signed any contract or paperwork, but if I keep playing good football, the big contracts will take care of itself.

“The money isn’t my motivation. I just strive for perfection. When I step on to the field, I set high standards and I always expect the best of myself.”

There is no more competitive beast in the NRL with the 118kg hulk never accepting defeat.

Like every player at the Broncos, Haas’ motivation has been tested over the past 18 months, but his dream remains intact. He craves a Broncos title breakthrough. He is desperate to hold aloft the NRL premiership.

Title campaigns are never won in March or July, but they are built on the type of single-minded chase Haas produced against the Sharks.

“It would mean the world to bring a premiership to the Broncos,” he said.

“It’s a massive brand and we have a huge fan base, so I want to help us bring the glory days back.

“I want this club to be winning comps again.

“I don’t want Broncos fans to be waiting for a long time … I want success for us as soon as possible.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Competitive gun Payne Haas says complacency not his make-up on eve of record deal