NRL 2021: Payne Haas set to sign longest deal in Brisbane Broncos history amid rumours prop is unhappy

Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has denied there is tension between Payne Haas and the club despite confirmation the star prop has been offered the longest deal in club history.

Payne Haas is set to sign a mega deal at the Broncos. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Kevin Walters insists signing Payne Haas to a six-year deal would not be a risk as the Broncos coach dismissed speculation the Brisbane prop is unhappy at Red Hill.

On the eve of Brisbane’s clash against the Sharks on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium, Walters confirmed a News Corp report which revealed Haas had been offered a long-term extension by Broncos bosses.

The Broncos board has approved a six-year offer for Haas to remain at the club until the end of 2027.

Brisbane and Haas are in no immediate rush to ink the offer, with the NSW Origin enforcer already contracted until 2024, although the Broncos are confident the upgrade will be finalised in the coming months.

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There were reports Haas is refusing to sign the deal, fuelling speculation of tensions between the prop and the Broncos, but Walters insists Brisbane’s No.1 bookend has no intention of quitting the NRL’s richest club.

“We are very keen to maintain Payne here,” Walters said.

“Dave (Donaghy, CEO), Ben (Ikin, football boss) and Simon (Scanlan, recruitment chief) are working through the process on a possible long-term deal for Payne, which is great news for us.

Payne Haas has been in superb form this season with the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

“I don’t think it’s a risk (signing him to a six-year deal), particularly with Payne and his attitude towards his football.

“The thing with Payne is he is still contracted with us, so we aren’t too concerned (about completing the deal).

“He is playing good football, he has had his best season this year and while he continues on that path, he is only 21, he is a good long-term prospect for us.

“I see it (signing Haas for six years) as a good long-term investment for the Broncos.”

Despite Brisbane’s lowly placing, Haas has had a superb individual campaign, charging for 3017 metres at an average of 167m per game and amassing 633 tackles and 64 tackle busts.

Haas, who plays his 60th NRL game against the Sharks, is viewed as a future Broncos captain and Walters lauded his relentless quest for consistency.

“He is the perfect example of a Broncos player,” Walters said.

“Payne is a great fella to have at the club, he is settled and always has a smile on his face … and we want to try to ensure that his future is here at the Broncos.

“He is always at the front with his fitness, he is at the front in the gym, he is very strong.

“He is very consistent with everything that he does.

“The other thing is Payne is such a popular player among the guys. He is the first one at training and the last to leave.”

Broncos approve multimillion-dollar Payne Haas deal

The Broncos board is set to formally approve a mega deal of up to six years for Payne Haas as coach Kevin Walters declared the NSW Origin enforcer can lead Brisbane to a drought-breaking seventh premiership.

News Corp can reveal Brisbane’s board have discussed a long-term extension for Haas and will rubber-stamp a multimillion-dollar upgrade to keep the front-row young gun at the Broncos until the end of 2027.

The Broncos have purchased or re-signed a staggering 17 players this season but the retention of Haas is a huge coup as he prepares to ink the longest deal in Brisbane’s 33-year history.

Broncos head-of-football Ben Ikin held preliminary talks on a 10-year contract in July, and such was the gravity of the terms, the proposal was escalated to Brisbane’s executive arm.

Broncos directors were reluctant to commit to the long-term deal, but they are open to a three-year upgrade on top of Haas’ existing deal, which expires at the end of 2024.

The Broncos board will formally approve a contract extension for Payne Haas. Picture: NRL Images

In total, Haas’ beefed-up contract will be worth six years, ensuring he is secured to the Broncos until the age of 27, by which time Brisbane hierarchy believe he will have matured into a future captain.

Walters confirmed he wants to build his forward pack around Haas, labelling him the engine-room spearhead who can help deliver Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.
“Payne is a natural leader, not so much with his words but his actions,” Walters said.
“He is never far off the ball whether it’s attack or defence.
“When you are building a premiership team, you need middle forwards like Payne Haas. The Storm have Jesse Bromwich. The Roosters have Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Every top team has a dominant prop.

“Payne is a remarkable forward, he has a great work ethic. He wants to win at all costs and that’s what we need throughout the whole club.”
With Haas already contracted until 2024, the Broncos are in no rush to announce the bumper extension, but the upgrade is expected to be ratified at season’s end.
The 21-year-old is the fittest prop in rugby league and has had another outstanding campaign.

In his 59 NRL games, he has averaged 167 running metres and 35 tackles per game, amassed 64 tackle busts and is easily capable of playing the full 80 minutes every week.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters is keen to build his team around Payne Haas.

Ikin lauded the NSW Origin prop’s work ethic, competitive drive and consistency as Brisbane emphatically closed the door on rival poaching threats.

“Payne is a special player,” Ikin said. “He is a powerhouse, he leads from the front on the field in one of the toughest positions you can play in a game.
“He brings his best to every training session and every match. He is world class.
“He is the guy others in the club look to. He does it with his leadership and it’s based on actions. He performs with great humility.

“Payne has this view on the world where he is committed to doing things for others, he is very cognisant of the fact he is part of a team.
“As single-minded as you need to be to succeed in the front row, Payne has this great affinity for his teammates and they really recognise that.

Payne Haas is a natural leader at the Broncos. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It is innate in Payne. He is leading for others. It‘s not just all about him. He has some magnificent traits as a leader.”

NSW Origin advisor Greg Alexander has worked with Haas in Blues camp and says there is no risk in handing him a six-year deal.
“Having seen him in the NSW set-up, I’ve seen Payne’s attitude,” Alexander said.
“When you sign someone for a long time, you have to consider will they handle things emotionally and does it matter how much they are paid from year to year?
“The player’s performances would have to stay consistent and I see that in Payne.
“It wouldn’t matter how much he was paid or how long for, I know Payne would do the job week in, week out.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Payne Haas set to sign longest deal in Brisbane Broncos history amid rumours prop is unhappy