In a candid public address, Brisbane Broncos prop Payne Haas has detailed the deeply personal motivations behind his decision to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs from the 2027 season. The 26-year-old forward, speaking for the first time since the announcement, refuted persistent rumours of a falling out with current Broncos coach Michael Maguire, instead emphasising the dual influences of family considerations and the magnetic pull of master coach Wayne Bennett.
The Bennett Connection: A Bond Forged Beyond Football
Wayne Bennett's role in Haas's career and personal life proved to be a decisive factor. Haas revealed that Bennett, who gave him his NRL debut at the Broncos in 2018 after steering him away from signing with Melbourne Storm, later secured him with a lucrative six-year contract. However, the connection runs far deeper than professional mentorship.
'My brother (Chase) was quadriplegic. He was disabled and Wayne had a son (Justin) who was disabled, and that's how we sort of connected,' Haas explained. This shared experience of family disability fostered a unique bond of trust and understanding. 'I feel like our relationship started from that and he's someone I can trust and lean on.'
Haas was unequivocal about Bennett's importance to the move. 'It wouldn't have been that easy if I didn't have Wayne there. I would have looked at other options. Wayne gave me my debut as well and we've got that sort of connection and relationship already.'
Family First: The Private Imperative for a Sydney Return
Beyond the Bennett factor, Haas pointed to pressing private family matters as the primary driver for his return to Sydney. The prop, who is a partner and father, described a period of intense personal deliberation leading up to his signature.
'Some things the last couple of weeks before (signing) were happening in my life personally and privately,' he stated, choosing to keep the specifics confidential. 'As a partner and a father I had to make that decision pretty quick, and that was to move back down to Sydney and move close to my family.'
He admitted the process was emotionally taxing. 'It was definitely hard. There were some sleepless nights before I made that decision, but I'm content with that decision and I had to make the call.'
Setting the Record Straight: No Rift with Maguire
Dismissing widespread speculation, Haas firmly denied any discord with Broncos coach Michael Maguire. The prop, integral to Brisbane's premiership victory last year under Maguire's guidance, labelled the rumours as baseless.
'It's BS, to be honest. I get along with Madge a lot,' Haas asserted. 'We won Origin together, won a premiership and there's no sour taste or nothing like that ... no bad blood. We're on good terms and I'm going to enjoy this last year with him as well.'
He acknowledged Maguire's initial surprise but confirmed their relationship remains positive. 'There's no sugarcoating it. He was a bit shocked and fair enough, but he understood my decision and he was happy for me. We've all moved on.' Haas affirmed their shared goal for the upcoming season: 'Our ultimate goal is to win a comp and that's what we're all striving for here.'
Contract Details and Future Speculation
Haas clarified the terms of his South Sydney agreement, which aligns with Bennett's expected one-year extension at the Rabbitohs until the end of 2028. 'I've got two years there and a one-year player option,' he confirmed.
He also definitively ruled out a future switch to the proposed breakaway R360 rugby union competition, despite previous links. 'No, I don't think so. I feel like they're all talk,' Haas said. 'There were talks around it, but I didn't really talk. I had some people involved (in discussions), and they pointed me in the right direction.'
Personal Identity: The Story Behind 'Hakeem Haas'
Addressing curiosity about his social media name, Haas explained the religious significance behind 'Hakeem Haas'. 'My name in Islam is Hakeem, but I'm still known as Payne to be honest. That's just what my mates call me, Hakeem,' he shared.
'In Islam you get given a name and I got given that name from some of the boys and people who I'm close to. That's what I am known as when I go around the mosque.' This insight provided a glimpse into the personal faith and community connections that form part of the player's identity away from the rugby league field.
