Payne Haas has categorically denied the rumours that he’s looking to join South Sydney early now that reigning champions Brisbane can no longer make NRL finals, dubbing the suggestion he wants to leave early “bullshit.”
The 26-year-old is all lined up to join Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs in 2027, in what could be one of the biggest signing coups of the modern era, but is playing out one last campaign at Red Hill first.
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Suggestions popped up this week that said Haas had been speaking to Bennett and was eager to get in the cardinal and myrtle as soon as possible.
The report, which was first shared by Paul Kent said on his Kenty NRL podcast, said that art dealer Steve Natevski – a Souths superfan – had been texting Michael Maguire to see if he would be interested in letting Haas leave. It was all just mid-season smoke, though, apparently.
“It’s BS [bullsh*t],” Haas said after Friday’s loss.
“There’s no way I would ever let that happen, mate,” he added.
“I love this group and I’m committed to this group this year. I love this group and I’m committed to this group this year. These guys are my brothers.
“I don’t know how that story came about, but I’m fully committed to the Broncos and doing my part here before I leave,” he declared.
The move would have saved the Broncos something like $300,000 to $400,000 for the rest of the year to get rid of Haas early, so it could have made sense financially. From every other angle, though, letting the Blues prop leave before the end of his contract would have been foolish.
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In fact, The Sporting Base understands the Broncos were still desperately trying to keep Haas right up until his Bunnies deal cooled.
Haas will formally join the Rabbitohs in the 2027 offseason, after playing out the rest of this year at the club where he became an NRL champion last year. He will then head to Redfern for the next three seasons.
Mitch Barnett will be swapping from the Warriors to the Broncos to replace him.
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