Broncos Coach Addresses Payne Haas’s Departure Amidst Family Focus
Brisbane Broncos head coach Michael Maguire has broken his silence following the bombshell announcement that star prop Payne Haas will be leaving the club at the end of the current season to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs have officially secured Haas’s services for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 seasons, having waived the standard cooling-off period for the contract.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph, Maguire was quick to dispel any notions of animosity between himself and Haas, emphasizing that the player’s move is primarily driven by family considerations.
“It’s very much about his family,” Maguire stated. “I have a great relationship with Payno, and we all lead different lives and face unique circumstances. Payne felt at the time that he wanted more support around him with his family, and that’s ultimately what he discussed with me.”
While the news of Haas’s departure came as a surprise to the premiership-winning coach, Maguire affirmed that his professional relationship with the talented forward remains strong.
“You never want to see these kinds of situations arise, but everyone is navigating what’s best for their current situation,” Maguire commented. “I’ve had the privilege of sharing some incredibly significant moments with Payne. This includes our time together with the NSW team, where we achieved something truly special, and, of course, last year’s premiership victory.
“Naturally, you always hope to have a player of Payne’s calibre at your club indefinitely. However, the reality is that individuals have their own aspirations and decisions regarding their future. One thing I can confirm is that Payne is committed to us for the next 12 months. I genuinely enjoy coaching him, and we all value having him as part of our team.”
Rabbitohs Welcome Haas as a Key Future Recruit
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have publicly declared that the acquisition of Payne Haas is central to their long-term strategic vision for the club. They have extended a warm welcome to the 26-year-old powerhouse, anticipating his significant impact.
Mark Ellison, the Rabbitohs’ Head of Recruitment and Retention, conveyed his immense enthusiasm for securing Haas.
“To put it plainly, Payne is one of, if not the, preeminent players in the world right now,” Ellison enthused. “We are incredibly excited to see him pull on our iconic red and green jersey for the next three seasons and beyond. His consistent performances are consistently at an elite level, underscored by his remarkable endurance, unwavering courage, and demonstrated leadership qualities.
“Payne already has established connections within our club. He shares a long-standing relationship with our Head Coach, Wayne Bennett, and has played alongside several future Rabbitohs teammates, including David Fifita, Cameron Murray, and Latrell Mitchell. We are eagerly anticipating welcoming Payne and his family to the Rabbitohs community for the 2027 pre-season. In the meantime, we wish him the very best for his current season with the Broncos, his commitments with New South Wales, and the upcoming end-of-season World Cup.”
Haas Set for World Club Challenge Appearance
Before his highly anticipated move to South Sydney, Payne Haas is scheduled to take the field for the Brisbane Broncos this Friday in England. The Broncos are set to compete in the World Club Challenge against Hull KR, marking another significant fixture in Haas’s current season.
