NRL 2023: Payne Haas opens up on ‘drama-filled life’ after signing historic Brisbane Broncos contract

He may have signed the richest deal in Broncos history, but Payne Haas admits no amount of money could ease the private pain of the toughest year of his life.

Payne Haas opens up on his ‘drama-filled life’.

Payne Haas has opened up about his “drama-filled life” as the Broncos superstar revealed how the trauma involving his family’s off-field problems convinced him to ink the richest contract in Brisbane’s history.

Title contenders Brisbane on Friday announced a $3.5 million three-year extension for Haas, making the 23-year-old one of the code’s highest-paid forwards since the inception of the National Rugby League in 1998.

The NSW Origin star will earn an estimated $1.1 million next year and up to $1.2m for seasons 2025-26, seeing Haas usurp former $1 million playmaker Anthony Milford in a landmark Broncos contract.

But Haas concedes no amount of money in the world can ease the private pain of the toughest year of his life away from the football field.

Payne Haas has opened up on his personal demons, revealing his family’s off-field problems helped convince him to stay at the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images.

Underlining the stress of the situation, Broncos coach Kevin Walters shed tears on Friday as he reflected on Haas’ commitment to the club and ability to compartmentalise football from his family problems.

Haas agreed terms on the new deal just 48 hours after his younger brother Zeda, 19, was arrested by police over an alleged effort to smuggle $1 million worth of ice into NSW from Queensland.

The police bust comes seven months after Haas’ mother Joan was involved in a high-speed car crash that led to the death of three people. She is currently behind bars after being charged in April with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a driver’s licence.

Haas revealed he called his mother in prison to inform Joan he was signing with the Broncos, admitting he didn’t want to leave his family behind by potentially moving to Sydney or overseas to play for a rival club.

Haas’ mother Uiatu "Joan" Taufua is currently behind bars over her involvement in a high-speed car crash that led to the death of three people.

“My life has been drama-filled all my life so I am pretty used to it,” Haas said after announcing his Broncos extension.

“I spoke to my mum a couple of days ago.

“She was good, she said, ‘Congrats’ and with what’s happened with my brother, I haven’t spoken to him.

“Mum is proud. She gave a few words to me the other day which I won’t go into, but she would be very proud of me and I am happy to make her proud.

“I just wanted to stay close to my family and my siblings.

“My missus (fiancee Leilani, with whom he has a young daughter), her family is around here as well so it’s not just my decision, it’s based on my family and my close ones as well.”

Earlier this week, this masthead reported Haas’ mother had been relocated to another prison after an altercation with a fellow inmate.

Payne’s brother, Zeda Haas, was charged with allegedly trafficking $1m of methamphetamine.

Amid such a tumultuous backdrop, Haas has played the best football of his career this season, spearheading Brisbane’s surge premiership contention, and the 118kg forward conceded his family’s off-field ordeal had tested his mental resolve.

“It has been hard but other people go through worse,” he said.

“That’s how my mentality is.

“My footy is separate from my private life and what happens with them.

“I just enjoy coming to the Broncos, doing what I love and trying to be that kid again who enjoys being around my mates and coaches and trying to enjoy that.

“I don’t try to dwell on it too much. I just try and keep my chest out and chin up and do what is best for the team.”

Haas says he wants to support his daughter and be a role model for kids. Picture: NRL Photos.

Haas had faced his own demons. His career was at the crossroads two years ago when he pleaded guilty to intimidating a female police officer following a drunken incident at Tweed Heads.

The Blues bookend was fined $50,000 by the NRL and slapped with a three-match ban, but Haas vowed not to offend again and has since been added to Brisbane’s leadership group.

Broncos coach Walters said the club has worked hard to support Haas through a difficult period in his life.

“I have learnt more about Payne Haas now than when I first walked into the club,” Walters said.

“To be honest, he is playing it down (the toll of his family ordeal).”

“Payne has been through so much, not only what’s happened lately but what he has been through from a young age.

“It’s hard to imagine the life Payne has had. He is a real pro and everything he has dealt with drives him to be a real pro as a rugby league player.

Broncos Coach Kevin Walters has praised the development of Haas, admitting the enforcer has been brave in playing through his personal dramas. Picture: Courier Mail.

“I think rugby league and the Broncos have been a good diversion for Payne. It’s been somewhere for him to lock into and connect with. It’s a safe world for him at the Broncos and we’ve done a lot to support him through his ups and downs.

“It’s not all about the financial rewards for Payne. He feels he is in a family environment where he is learning about getting better not only as a player, but as a person.

“We take the personal development of our players seriously.”

Haas, who rejected a massive $6 million poaching bid to stay at the Broncos, said he wants to use his lucrative new contract to look after his fiancee and daughter.

“I want to set up my daughter and be a good role model for my kids,” he said.

“I want to help them out so they never have to work a day in their life.

“This contract is for my family and they are really happy with the decision I’ve made.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Payne Haas opens up on ‘drama-filled life’ after signing historic Brisbane Broncos contract