Broncos superstar Payne Haas is at a crossroads, facing a monumental $3 million decision that could potentially end his rugby league career if he chooses to join the rebel rugby competition, R360. This lucrative offer has sparked a debate on whether the salary is worth leaving the National Rugby League (NRL).
According to reports from Code Sports, R360 officials have put forward an enticing contract worth $3 million per season to lure Haas away from Red Hill. This development comes as Haas, who is off-contract at the end of 2026, has been free to negotiate with rivals since November 1. Meanwhile, Brisbane powerbrokers are working diligently to retain his services.
Is the Salary Worth the Risk?
League legend Bryan Fletcher, speaking on the Kayo Sports NRL Podcast, believes that Haas has nothing left to prove after securing a premiership under Michael Maguire in 2025. Fletcher stated, “I don’t think he needs to prove anything in the game, he has won the best and fairest up there six times, he has carried them.”
Fletcher further emphasized Haas’s personal motivations, saying, “We know Payne’s history off the field with his family, and he has been quite vocal about saying how he wants to look after his own kids and his siblings. I don’t begrudge him… I would do it, I feel that the premiership win this year, the premiership was the carrot he wanted.”
“Getting married was pretty good, having children was pretty good. But holding that trophy up was great.” — Bryan Fletcher
The Potential Consequences of a Move
However, the decision is not without its risks. If Haas signs with R360, the NRL may issue him with a 10-year ban. Eels icon Nathan Hindmarsh expressed skepticism about the legal standing of such bans, referencing past instances where similar threats did not hold up.
Hindmarsh noted, “But he’s already on $1.1 million, $1.2 million now. I know $3 million is a lot more money, but if he does go to R360, there’s potential of a 10-year ban. Then if R360 falls over. Then a lot of people are saying ‘how can they ban you from coming back to a sport?’”
“Which I don’t think will hold up, because they said they were going to ban Sonny-Bill Williams when he walked out on the Bulldogs.” — Nathan Hindmarsh
Future Implications for the Broncos
As the Broncos look to the future, the potential loss of Haas could have significant implications for their premiership aspirations. Hindmarsh expressed doubts about Brisbane’s chances without their star player, saying, “Yes, definitely. I know they have got Xavier Willison there lurking in the background… but he’s no Payne Haas, Payne is the No.1 front rower in the game.”
Haas’s contributions to the team are undeniable. His work rate and ball-carrying abilities make him a standout player in the front row. “The amount of minutes he gets through, the work rate he gets through… I do (love him). To be in the middle and having to cart the ball up as well he does as well as do his defence. His ball-carrying is second to none in the front row, he is untouchable,” added Hindmarsh.
As the November 1 deadline passes, the NRL community watches closely to see how this situation unfolds. The decision Haas makes will not only impact his career but also the future dynamics of the league.
