Payne Haas set to sign Broncos extension after shock admission to NRL bosses
Payne Haas is expected to ink a new deal with the Broncos before Christmas after revealing to NRL bosses he had no desire to walk out on rugby league amid the R360 threat.
Teenage half Coby Black is expected to begin training with Canberra as soon as this week after securing a release from the final year of his deal with the Brisbane Broncos.
Black was off contract at the end of 2026 but has made an early shift to the nation’s capital as he looks to compete with fellow young gun Ethan Sanders for the Raiders No.7 jersey.
The 19-year-old had been earmarked as Brisbane’s long-term halfback but those plans went up in smoke when the Broncos signed Melbourne playmaker Jonah Pezet for the 2027 season.
When Pezet’s signature was confirmed by the Broncos, Canberra swooped to secure Black as they looked to add some depth and quality to their halves following the departure of Jamal Fogarty.
The Broncos released a statement confirming Black’s departure on Tuesday.
It is understood Black is already in Canberra and ready to begin training with the Raiders as he looks to hit the ground running at his new club.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire said the club would have loved to keep Black but understood it was in his best interests to leave - his path to first grade in Brisbane was blocked by Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt.
“We would have loved to have Coby here at the Broncos for 2026 but we acknowledge the opportunity that’s been presented to him,” Maguire said.
“He’s a fantastic young man who’s been an absolute pleasure to coach and I truly hope our paths cross in the future.
Black masterminded the Queensland side’s victory over NSW in the under 19 State of Origin game earlier this year and will provide competition for Sanders, who has been promised his first shot at succeeding Fogarty in the Canberra halves.
Meanwhile, Brisbane will now focus their attention on locking down prop Payne Haas after their chief threat - rebel rugby union competition R360 - announced they had delayed their start until 2028.
Haas is expected to ink a new deal with the Broncos before Christmas after positive talks with the club. It is understood Haas also made it clear to ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo in a recent meeting between the parties that he had no desire to walk out on rugby league.
Haas has prioritised staying at the Broncos and it is understood talks are at an advanced stage as he looks to extend beyond 2026, when his current deal expires.
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Originally published as Payne Haas set to sign Broncos extension after shock admission to NRL bosses
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