There was no glitz or glamour at the place he’ll call home next year as Payne Haas’ Broncos career ended on a high at Accor Stadium, with the superstar prop forward confident that Brisbane’s middles will thrive without him.
There was something poetic about Haas playing his final game for Brisbane at Stadium Australia, the same venue where he made his NRL debut eight years ago.
Haas scored the first try of the night and then spent some time in the sin bin before he churned out typically impressive numbers in the win over Canterbury, with the reality of everything still sinking in as he revealed surgery is set to ruin his World Cup dreams.
“I think once I do a bit of reflecting (it’ll all hit me),” he told the NewsWire after the game.
“I know it’s been a bit emotional the last two weeks, especially for my family and my partner. It’s all we’ve known since we’ve been together, and that’s all I’ve known coming out of school.
“This club has given me a lot. They backed me and put a lot of faith in me out of school. They gave me a great contract out of school and kept on looking after me. I’ve caused a few headaches here, but hopefully that premiership repaid it all.
“I debuted here, and I think it was a Thursday night as well. Maybe it just all aligned, you know?
“I believe in God and everything happens for a reason. He has a plan for us. I’m excited for the journey ahead, but I’m just really going to enjoy the next few days with the boys and cherish it with my best mates.”
Last year’s premiership feels like a lifetime ago given everything that’s happened at the club in 2026, which started with the bombshell news back in February that the world’s best prop was heading to the Rabbitohs.
Haas will play alongside David Fifita, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray in a star-studded South Sydney squad, with his departure to leave the Broncos vulnerable in the middle.
Experienced forward Mitch Barnett will join the club, while Xavier Willison has shown signs that he’s ready to become one of the best forwards in the world.
“I think people forget that with middle forwards, it takes them a while to get going, and they’re starting to hit their straps now,” Haas replied when asked if he was confident that Brisbane’s young brigade can replace him.
“The Broncos are in good hands with those boys. They’ve got great people like Patty Carrigan there as well, and Mitch Barnett is coming through, He’s a great leader and he’s only going to help Patty.
“Those boys are going to do a job. The Broncos shouldn’t worry. They’re special players and they’ll get rolling.”
How the Broncos cope without Haas could dictate how they perform in 2027.
“We have to (cover his loss),” Carrigan said after the Bulldogs game.
“There’s no doubt he’s an exceptional player, but the way we can complement each other as a middle, hopefully all grow, keep improving individually and share that load will be an exciting opportunity for us moving forward.
“I’d be stoked if he gives me some cash for all the raps I’ve been giving him this week.
“But he means a lot to this club. The time he came to the place, helped recreate that identity, brought the belief back, and took us to the heights we reached last year is pretty special.
“His achievements on the field speak for themselves, but honestly, I think the standards and behaviours those lads have in the locker room each and every day when they come to training speak volumes of what he’s done for our organisation.
“He’s a special human, has a great family, and I’m just really excited for his next chapter.”
Haas has a busy few months coming up with his wedding in December, with the rep star to have surgery in the coming days to repair an injury to his left hand that has plagued him for the entire season.
“It happened after round 1e, so I’ve been carrying it all year,” he said.
“It is what it is. I just really wanted to play the year out with the boys. This club has given me everything, and my best mates as well, so I wanted to play with them and didn’t want to leave them out there.”
While he was able to play through the pain, surgery means he’ll miss the upcoming World Cup, which is a huge blow for Samoa and Haas, who switched his allegiance from Australia last year wanting to lead his nation to glory.
“I’m not sure how I’ll progress through it, but I think it’s highly unlikely (that I play). I’m pretty gutted about it,” he said.
“That’s why I went over to Samoa. I really wanted to play that World Cup and bring back a trophy for Samoa.
“I know the team can still do it, regardless of me not being out there. With the calibre of players they’ve got, I’ve got full faith in those boys that they’ll get it done for Samoa, and I’ll be supporting them.”
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