Brisbane Coach Stands by Payne Haas Despite Transfer Rumours
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has firmly rejected suggestions that prop player Payne Haas could be released early to South Sydney this year. The decision comes after Haas was named captain for the match against the Sydney Roosters, despite his impending move to the Rabbitohs next season.
Haas has spent his entire career with the Broncos and will officially join the Rabbitohs at the end of the current season. There have been reports that a businessman with ties to the Rabbitohs sent Maguire a text asking if the Broncos would release Haas before June 30 to allow him to join the club immediately. However, there is no indication that this request came with the knowledge of the Rabbitohs.
Maguire addressed the situation directly, stating, “No. No chance. Basically Payne has invested everything into this year.” He emphasized that Haas has been fully committed to the team this season, spending time in his office and working closely with the leaders. “We’ve got a really good group of men in there here and we’ve got to get going.”
Despite the team’s recent struggles, with six consecutive losses and sitting in 13th place, Maguire remains optimistic. “This group is well and truly alive,” he said. “We still have a chance to challenge for the finals in Friday night’s home clash with the Roosters.”
The decision to make Haas the skipper in the absence of injured captain Adam Reynolds was described as an easy one. “Just to see what he has done and put the club where it has been,” Maguire explained. “He is hungry as. He loves the club and we know he’s leaving at the end (of the season), but he also has a massive passion for what the club has done for him.”
Maguire added, “I don’t look to the future. We are looking at now. We’ve got a massive opportunity as a club and as a playing group. Over time we may have our full complement of players back at the right time, but we’ve got to get going now.”
Maguire also expressed confidence in fullback Reece Walsh, who could lead the team to the finals like he did last year. “There’s no reason why he can’t,” he said. “Reece the last couple of months has put his head down and worked really hard. Those rewards will come. It’s up to the team to get that going and if they do it for each other, I know I’ve got one hell of a team.”
Another key player set to step up is versatile veteran Ben Hunt, who will take on the No.7 role in place of Reynolds. Hunt, who has re-signed with the club until the end of 2027, has shown his commitment to the team. “We all know he loves playing seven, but when I signed Hunty I sat down with him and spoke about what the team might look like in the future,” Maguire said. “He said, ‘Madge, wherever I can play, I’ll play.’ He did that last year, he’s doing it this year and now gets the opportunity to play seven.”
