Brisbane Broncos Captain Adam Reynolds Vows to Persuade Payne Haas to Stay
Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has openly admitted that he intends to 'try to twist Payne Haas' arm' in a bid to convince the star prop-forward to reverse his decision to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Haas, who has been a cornerstone of the Broncos' success, recently agreed to a three-year deal with South Sydney, reportedly worth approximately $3.6 million, but is currently within a 10-day cooling-off period that allows him to renege on the agreement.
Reynolds Expresses Shock and Determination
Reynolds, who confirmed his own retirement announcement set for Monday, stated that he was 'blindsided' by Haas's decision to depart the Queensland outfit. The captain emphasised that he and his teammates are united in their efforts to persuade Haas to remain at the club. 'I'll try and twist his arm,' Reynolds said. 'Look, it is what it is. We've got 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 to stay at the club.'
He further elaborated on the team's affection for Haas, noting, 'We love him. We love everything about 'Payno' and what he's done for this club. He's a huge reason why we [have been] successful.' Despite these sentiments, a U-turn appears highly unlikely, as the Broncos have already issued a statement acknowledging Haas's intention to leave at the end of the 2026 season.
Haas's Career and Future Prospects
Payne Haas, aged 26, is currently travelling with the Broncos to the United Kingdom for the World Club Challenge against Hull KR. He won the 2025 premiership with Brisbane but chose not to extend his contract beyond the upcoming campaign. Previously linked with the mooted R360 rugby union competition and the new PNG franchise slated for 2028, the Broncos had anticipated he would re-sign for at least one more year.
Reynolds also dismissed rumours that Haas's exit stemmed from a fallout with premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire. 'The storyline about 'Madge' [Maguire], that's absolute rubbish – this has got nothing to do with Madge,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'There's never been a problem with Payne and Madge. They worked well together with NSW and I've seen the connection they have at training.'
South Sydney's Strategic Gain
Haas's move to South Sydney represents a significant boost for the Rabbitohs, orchestrated by coach Wayne Bennett, who gave Haas his debut in 2018 as a teenager. Bennett has now secured Haas for the third time in a signing coup, having previously convinced him to stay with Brisbane over a move to Melbourne and later re-signing him on a six-year upgraded contract after his stellar debut.
Rabbitohs legend Ron Coote hailed the acquisition as a 'massive triumph' for the club, stating, 'He's a good catch for South Sydney. Payne is a great player. Wayne needs some more troops in the middle of the field and Payne will be good for him.' Haas's arrival is timely, especially with current Test forward Keaon Koloamatangi set to join St George Illawarra next year.
Impact on the Broncos and Legacy
Haas has played all 142 of his NRL games for Brisbane, making his departure a shock to many. While the Broncos have rising props Xavier Willison and Ben Te Kura poised to step up, Reynolds acknowledged, 'There is, however, only one Payne Haas.' Coote, the most recently inducted rugby league Immortal, added that players today are focused on their futures, and no one should begrudge Haas for his decision.
As the situation unfolds, Reynolds and the Broncos remain hopeful, but the likelihood of Haas staying seems slim, marking a pivotal moment in both his career and the team's dynamics moving forward.
