Haas to knock back R360 payday over fears comp will never actually run

Payne Haas is unlikely to leave the NRL to take up a Rugby 360 deal this offseason, with the Brisbane Broncos premiership winner reportedly telling a close friend he’s too unsure about the rebel competition to leave rugby league.

Code Sport has today reported that Haas “holds some concerns about the potential viability of R360 and is mindful of the 10-year ban that will be imposed if he signs with the unsanctioned league.”

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While Haas hasn’t spoken to any Broncos representatives formally yet, it’s understood he’s now leaning towards taking up the mega-dollar extension waiting for him back at Red Hill. He’s already set to earn nearly $1.2 million next season — the final year on his current contract — and stands to make as much as $1.5M each season if he signs that new deal.

The Broncos have been happy to give Haas time, both to explore his options beyond Brisbane and specifically in the R360 competition, but had asked the 25-year-old to tell them his plans before the ’26 preseason really gets started.

“Payne knows how we feel about him,” Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy explained on the impending negotiations he’s expecting to host in the coming weeks. “We wanted to let him focus on Samoa. Now that’s done, I’m sure he’ll take a well-earned break, and we will speak to Payne and his people when he gets back to Brisbane about what the future looks like.”

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Donaghy admitted it’s not a shock that Haas would want to look into an R360 deal if the money that’s been suggested is correct, though he did add that Haas is smart enough “to make sure it’s not fool’s gold” before signing anything. “If the money that’s been speculated is right, then it’s not a shock that Payne would want to explore that,” he added.

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There may be some pressure from the other side, though: With less than a year on the books until R360’s mooted start date, the rebel competition wants to start drumming up hype by announcing some signings.

There’s an expectation around the rugby league world that Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhyuzen will be among the first big-name recruits after they were mysteriously released by the Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm, respectively, but R360 officials would likely want Haas — arguably rugby league’s best ever prop — among the first stars unveiled, too.

There’s also the chance that Haas speaks to other NRL clubs, though that’s a lot more unlikely.

On that, Donaghy said, “Payne has a place at our club for as long as he wants it.”