Payne Haas

Payne Haas (born 2 December 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.

Payne Haas

Personal information
Full name	Payne Haas
Born	(1999-12-02) 2 December 1999 (age 24) Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia^[1]
Height	194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	117 kg (258 lb; 18 st 6 lb)
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2018– Brisbane Broncos 104 8 0 0 32 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2019–23 New South Wales 11 0 0 0 0 2019 Prime Minister's XIII 1 1 0 0 4 2019–23 Australia 4 1 0 0 4
Source: ^[2] As of 4 November 2023

He has played for the New South Wales in the State of Origin series and the Prime Minister's XIII.

Background

Haas is Samoan descent.^[3][4] Haas became a Muslim in early 2019 at the age of 19.^[5][6]

Payne is eligible to play International Rugby League for the Australia national rugby league team, Samoa national rugby league team and the Philippines national rugby league team. Haas has represented the Philippines at under 16s level.^[7]

He played junior rugby league for the Woodberry Warriors, before moving to the Gold Coast, Queensland at age 13. He attended rugby league school Keebra Park State High.^[8]

Haas is the nephew of former Newcastle Knights and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks player Mark Taufua.

Haas’s younger brother Klese Haas, plays for the Gold Coast Titans.

His mother, Uiatu "Joan" Taufua, was convicted and sentenced to nine months prison for assaulting two security guards at The Star casino in July 2022.^[9] In December that year, she was involved in a car crash that led to three deaths,^[10] after allegedly fleeing police earlier.^[11] She was subsequently charged with three counts of manslaughter and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police and driving without a driver’s licence. She remains in custody.^[12]

Playing career

Early years

In 2016, Haas played for the Australian Schoolboys.^[13] In September 2016, he signed a 3-year contract with the Brisbane Broncos until the end of 2019, after weighing up offers from 10 NRL clubs, plus scholarship offers from American football college teams.^[14]

 

Haas playing for the Broncos' NYC team in 2017

In 2017, he played for the Broncos' NYC team.^[15] After impressing for the Broncos NYC side throughout the year, he was called in to act as an Andrew Fifita "clone" at a Queensland State of Origin opposed training session before game three of the 2017 series.^[16] In September 2017, he was named at prop in the NYC Team of the Year.^[17]

Haas scored nine tries in 18 games.

2018

In 2018, Haas played for the Broncos' Queensland Cup feeder side, Wynnum Manly Seagulls. In round 8 of the 2018 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Broncos against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.^[18] Commentator Phil Gould remarked that his debut game was "the birth of a superstar."^[19] He would go on to play two more games before missing the remainder of the season with an injured shoulder.^[20] In July 2018, the Broncos re-signed Haas on a 6-year contract.^[21]

2019

Haas, while fasting for his first ever Ramadan after converting to Islam in early 2019,^[22] scored the first try of his NRL career against the Sydney Roosters in round 10 on Friday 17 May 2019 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.^[6]

On 26 May, Haas was selected in the New South Wales Blues Origin squad for Game 1 of the 2019 State of Origin series.^[23] This makes him the second most inexperienced player to play Origin having played only 10 NRL matches. Haas fasted for Ramadan up until the day before Game 1 of the 2019 State of Origin series on Wednesday 5 June 2019.^[24]

Haas missed out on selection for Game 2 and Game 3 of the 2019 State of Origin series which New South Wales won 2-1.^[25][26]

Haas made 21 appearances for Brisbane in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Haas played in the club's elimination final against Parramatta which Brisbane lost 58-0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The defeat was the worst in Brisbane's history and also the biggest finals defeat in history.^[27][28][29]

On 30 September, Haas was named at prop in the Australia PM XIII side. On 7 October, Haas was named in the Australian side for the upcoming Oceania Cup fixtures.

2020

Haas played 17 games for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished last on the table for the first time ever in their history. Brisbane only managed to win only three games for the entire year out of a possible 20 matches.^[30]

2021

Haas made 20 appearances for Brisbane in the 2021 NRL season as the club missed the finals. He played in all three games of the 2021 State of Origin series which New South Wales won 2-1.^[31]

2022

On 25 May 2022, Haas requested an immediate release from his Brisbane contract which was later rejected. In round 12 of the 2022 NRL season, Haas was jeered by Brisbane supporters every time he touched the ball during the clubs victory over the Gold Coast.^[32] On 29 May 2022, Haas was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.^[33]

To finish up his club year, Haas was awarded Brisbane's Player of the Year award again for the fourth time in a row.^[34] He was later selected as a prop forward in the NRL team of the year at the Dally M Awards.

2023

On 22 May, Haas was selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. Haas played in two matches for New South Wales as the blues lost the series 2-1.^[35] Haas played 23 matches for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season. Haas played in Brisbane's 26-24 loss against Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.^[36]

Statistics

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Pts
2018	Brisbane Broncos	3	0	0
2019		21	4	16
2020		17	1	4
2021		20	1	4
2022		20	1	4
2023		23	1	4
Career totals		104	8	32

Honours

Individual Brisbane Broncos U20s Best Forward: 2017 Holden Cup Team of The Year: 2017 Brisbane Broncos XXXX Fan Player: 2019 Brisbane Broncos "Gary Balkin Award" Players' Player: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 Brisbane Broncos "Paul Morgan Medal" Player of The Year: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Dally M Rookie of The Year: 2019 Dally M Prop of The Year: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 Brisbane Broncos "Shane Webcke Award" Best Forward: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Brisbane Broncos "Wally Lewis Award" Play of the Year: 2021 (Round 16 v Cronulla Sharks 79th min) Representative 2019 State of Origin series Winners 2021 State of Origin series Winners

Rivalries

In 2020, he began a rivalry with long-time rival Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, after a fight broke out during the second State of Origin Game of the 2020 Series.^[37]

Controversy

On 19 February 2019, Haas was suspended for four matches and fined $20,000 by Brisbane after he failed to cooperate fully with the NRL integrity unit regarding an investigation into off-field incidents involving family members.^[38]

On 16 January 2021, Haas was charged with offensive language and intimidating police at Tweed Heads. On 4 February 2021, Haas was given a two-year good behaviour bond over the incident. On 8 February 2021, Haas was given a $50,000 fine by the NRL and a three-match suspension as further punishment for intimidating police.^[39][40][41]

On 3 April 2022, it was announced that Haas had been placed under investigation by the Brisbane club after video footage emerged which showed Haas being involved in a drunken fight with teammate Albert Kelly.^[42]

References

1. "Haas was born in Paddington in Sydney's east then moved to Queensland aged 13". The Daily Telegraph.
2. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Payne Haas - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
3. "Hill of pain gave Broncos rookie Payne Haas massive engine". Nrl.com. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
4. "RLS Queensland name 2013 squads". Rugby League Samoa. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
5. "Pride in Payne Haas: Faith & Family". Nrl.com. 27 May 2019.
6. "Brisbane Broncos adjusting training for Payne Haas during Ramadan 1440 (2019)". Nrl.com. 17 May 2019.
7. "Haas can help grow game in Asian community". 19 May 2018.
8. Clark, Laine (8 December 2017). "Young giant Payne Haas ready to become more than Andrew Fifita clone for Brisbane Broncos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
9. "'She kept punching me': Mum of NRL star Payne Haas accused of another attack". 9now.bine.com.au.
10. "Payne Haas' mum involved in horror crash, three family members dead". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
11. "Fatal traffic crash, Bonogin". Mypolice.qls.gov.au. 30 December 2022.
12. Read, Cloe (2 January 2023). "Bronco's mum charged after fiery crash that killed three". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
13. "ASSRL Schoolboys rugby league news, Australian Secondary School Rugby League, Australian Schoolboys". Ourfootyteam.com. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
14. "The inside mail home of all the hottest NRL news and gossip". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
15. "Holden Cup Under 20s - 2017 Round 1 SQUADS » League Unlimited". League Unlimited. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
16. "Teen giant Payne Haas makes big impression at Broncos pre-season training". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
17. "2017 NYC Team of the Year". Zerotackle.com. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
18. "Late Mail - Broncos v Rabbitohs". Broncos.com.au. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
19. "Is Payne Haas Blue or Maroon?". Themorningbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
20. "Brave Payne Haas set for shoulder surgery and lengthy break". Nrl.com. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
21. "Brisbane Broncos re-sign Payne Haas on lucrative six-year deal". National Rugby League. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
22. "Broncos adjusting training for Payne Haas in Ramadan 1440 (2019)". NRL.com. 17 May 2019.
23. "NSW Blues State of Origin team: Game 1, 2019, squad announced". National Rugby League. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
24. "NSW Blues rookie prop Payne Haas' incredible sacrifice for Ramadan". The Daily Telegraph.
25. "Trbojevic and Addo-Carr lead origin try spree". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 June 2019.
26. "Emotional Blues legend Wayne Pearce opens up on his son Mitchell's battle". News.com.au.
27. "Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win". ABC News. 15 September 2019.
28. "Fuming Seibold fires off at players, promises review of roster after 'embarrassing' loss". Fox Sports. 16 September 2019.
29. "Seibold: 'Top to bottom' review needed as Brisbane search for answers". NRL. 15 September 2019.
30. "Brisbane get wooden spoon as North Queensland finish on a high". Nrl.com. 24 September 2020.
31. "Payne Haas". National Rugby League. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
32. "'It's been really hard': Payne Haas breaks silence on release bombshell". News.com.au. 28 May 2022.
33. "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". Nrl.com. 30 May 2022.
34. "Brisbane Presentation Ball 2022 - Winners". Broncos.com.au. 20 September 2022.
35. "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com. 23 May 2023.
36. "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
37. "Haas' savage sledge for Maroons big-man's fight claim". Wwos.nine.com.au.
38. "Payne Haas's failure to cooperate with NRL's integrity unit leads to ban". The Guardian. 19 February 2019.
39. "NRL slaps Haas with huge fine, suspension for abusing police". Foxsports.com.au. 8 February 2021.
40. "'Cause you're a woman you think I won't touch ya?' Broncos star's vile rant at female cop revealed". Foxsports.com.au. 4 February 2021.
41. "Broncos star Payne Haas arrested, charged with intimidating police". Foxsports.com.au. 17 January 2021.
42. "Brisbane stars Payne Haas and Albert Kelly in alleged drunken fight". News.com au.

External links

• Brisbane Broncos profile