Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has confirmed the club is supporting prop Payne Haas after his father, Gregor Johann Haas, was arrested in the Philippines on drug trafficking charges. The 46-year-old was taken into custody in Cebu City on Wednesday and faces extradition to Indonesia, where authorities allege he was involved in trafficking five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Indonesia's National Narcotics Board said they had been tracking Haas since December last year. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance but declined further comment due to privacy obligations. This latest incident adds to the personal challenges for Payne Haas, whose mother, Joan Taufua, is in jail facing manslaughter charges over a fatal car crash in 2022. Haas has been caring for two of his younger brothers.
Walters praised Haas's resilience, stating: 'Payne's a very strong individual... we will get around him in every way we can to support him and his family.' Teammate Pat Carrigan echoed the sentiment, calling Haas 'a pretty special' person and adding: 'If there were more like Payne Haas in the world, I think it would be a better place.'
During Friday night's 13-12 win over Manly, Haas briefly left the field with a lower leg injury but returned to finish the match. Walters confirmed the injury was a knee to the calf causing a nerve issue, but Haas is expected to be fit for next week's game.
