Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
'Twist his arm': Broncos hold out hope of Haas backflip
Joel Gould, AAP •  February 9th, 2026 8:05 pm
Brisbane teammates will be trying to convince Payne Haas to stay with the Broncos | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Brisbane prop Payne Haas is set to arrive in England for the World Club Challenge where his teammates will try to convince him not to honour his deal with South Sydney.
It is likely a forlorn task, but the superstar prop is worth trying to hang on to and Broncos captain Adam Reynolds, who announced on Monday he would retire at the end of the season, has not given up hope.
The Rabbitohs announced Haas signed a three-year deal on Sunday, and there is a 10-day cooling off period during which he can opt out.
The Broncos held their season launch on Monday before leaving for the UK to prepare for the clash with Hull KR later this month.
"I'll try and twist his arm, but it is what it is," Reynolds said of Haas.
"We have to focus on getting over to England now and getting the job done. I'm sure the boys have been into him, trying to get him obviously to stay at the club."
Why Payne Haas' move to Souths surprised everyone | Mondays with McHardy
Reynolds, who played 10 seasons with the Rabbitohs before joining Brisbane, was as shocked as the rest of the rugby league world by the Haas news.
"No, I didn't see it coming. I haven't really sat down and spoken to Payne," Reynolds said.
"You respect everyone's decisions. I don't know the exact reasoning, but I know he is fully committed to this year, as I will be.
"He messaged through on WhatsApp to let the boys know he'd be moving to South Sydney at the end of the season.
"Obviously, news breaks pretty quick in our game, and it's pretty hard to sit down in front of a group over a weekend when we're not training."
The Broncos launched their bid for back-to-back premierships at a special function in Brisbane | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Reynolds said Haas was totally committed to helping the Broncos go back-to-back.
"We love everything about Payno and what he's done for this club. He's a huge reason why we got success, but we're focusing on the now," Reynolds said.
"He's not gone yet and is fully committed to the club this year and will do everything possible to make sure we reach the heights that we did last year."
Meanwhile, Reynolds was quick to quash suggestions that Haas's exit had anything to do with a falling-out with coach Michael Maguire.
Haas has spoken at length in the past about why he has thrived under Maguire's tutelage.
"It is just rumours," Reynolds said.
"It's easy and an obvious one to speculate on, but we're a tight group. We wouldn't have reached the heights we did last year if the boys were off 'Madge'.
"He's come here and done a fantastic job. We've reached the heights and it's about believing in the systems and making sure we do it a little bit better than we did last year and anything's possible."
Michael Maguire wants to go back-to-back after guiding the Broncos to the 2025 premiership | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Broncos lock Pat Carrigan said he respected Haas's decision and added that his exit would open up opportunities for the likes of young guns Xavier Willison and Ben Te Kura to step up.
"As a mate who's come into the game and played with him since we were 18 years old ... I'll be always supportive of him (Haas)," Carrigan said.
"Our relationship will always stretch long and far beyond these bright lights.
"I'm really excited that we get to finish this year.
"One door closes and another one opens, and there's some really good young kids that have had the opportunity to learn off Payne. I know they'll want to grab it with both hands."
