Payne Haas has denied he left the Brisbane Broncos because of coach Michael Maguire or his training methods, using his first media session as a South Sydney player on Monday to explain why he made the move.
The star prop started pre-season training with the Rabbitohs at Maroubra on Monday, reuniting with Wayne Bennett, who handed him his NRL debut at Brisbane in 2018, AAP reported. He also revealed he will not do any contact work until January after surgery on two injured fingers.
Haas’s shock decision to leave the Broncos for Souths from 2027, months after winning the 2025 premiership with Brisbane, sparked speculation he had fallen out with Maguire over the coach’s demanding training loads.
‘It definitely wasn’t the training or the coach’
“It definitely wasn’t the training or the coach,” Haas said, as reported by Fox Sports.
“I think the thought of moving scared me and made me uncomfortable, and that’s why I really wanted to do it.
“Leaving Brisbane, I could have just stayed there for the next five years, signed and been comfortable.
“I didn’t want to have any regrets. When I had that feeling of moving and that sense of being uncomfortable, I just wanted to do it. I pulled the trigger, I’m glad I did, and I’m here now ready to earn respect.”
Haas said he was not worried about outside opinions. “I don’t really care what people think, to be honest,” he said. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions. People close to me and people up there know the real reason. I wanted to be uncomfortable, I needed a change, and I’ve got that now. I’m really excited to be here.”
Read more: Payne Haas in Frame for Shock Samoa World Cup Call-Up
Finger surgery delays contact work
Haas said he had played through a boutonniere injury since round one, and that it was behind his decision to miss the World Cup, according to Fox Sports.
“I’m out for four months, so I can’t do contact until January, so I’m just running around,” he said.
“It was a sacrifice I made, sacrificing playing in the World Cup, because I wanted to finish off the year with my best mates at the Broncos,” he added.
Read more: Broncos Resigned to Losing Jordan Riki After 2027, Reports Say
He returned to training earlier than expected because he will be away in December for his wedding. “I came back early, Wayne gave me a bit of time off in December. I’m getting married to my partner – I’m very excited about it, a bit nervous as well,” Haas said, as reported by Nine.
Souths premiership hopes
Haas, who has signed a three-year deal worth a reported $3.6 million according to AAP, played down suggestions he could be the missing piece for a club that has not won a premiership since 2014.
“I’m not sure. Time will tell. I’m just here to be present and train the house down and earn the respect of the boys,” he said.
But he backed the Rabbitohs’ roster, which includes Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell. “Look at the players we’ve got, I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t think that,” Haas said. “We just need to keep healthy and I’m pretty sure we’ll do special things.”
The Rabbitohs have published video of Haas’s full first media session on the club website.
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