2GB’s Ray Hadley blasts reporter for story on Payne Haas’ emotional call to his mum in jail
Radio star Ray Hadley scolds reporter for ‘completely insensitive’ story about NSW enforcer Payne Haas’ emotional appeal to his mother while in jail on three charges of alleged manslaughter: ‘Hang your head in shame’
- Blues star Payne Haas called his mother in prison on Sunday
- Confirmed to be picked for NSW Blues ahead of Origin opener
- Joan Taufua awaits trial, charged with manslaughter
- Follows shocking incident on December 30 on the Gold Coast
- Radio star Ray Hadley stunned by ‘insensitive story’ from News Corp
Radio identity Ray Hadley has criticized News Corp for publishing a ‘completely insensitive’ story revealing NSW prop Payne Haas’s emotional appeal to his mother in prison to confirm his Origin selection as she faces three counts of alleged manslaughter.
On his 2GB morning show on Wednesday, Hadley was furious at the disrespect for the three victims: retired doctor Chris Fawcett, 79, his partner Susan Zimmer, 70, and her daughter Steffanie, 35.
They were all killed in a horror attack in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30 with Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua at the wheel in the other vehicle.
Taufua, 46, has also been charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, evading police and driving without a license following the crash.
‘This story [by News Corp’s Brent Read] is completely and utterly insensitive,” a seething Hadley told his audience on Wednesday.
NSW Blues star Payne Haas had an emotional call to his mother in jail after confirming his Origin selection on Sunday
“Three innocent people lost their lives and this story is about how Joan Taufua will see her son Payne Haas play Origin while in custody on TV next week.
“It is undignified and shows a lack of respect for the victims and their families.”
News Corp published Haas’ article in the Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and The Australian on Wednesday.
The radio veteran suggested Read should ‘hang his head’ and ‘there must be a better rugby league story’ [in the lead up to the Origin opener on May 31] than this one.’
Taufua is currently behind bars at Southern Queensland Correctional Centre, west Brisbane, and could be housed there for some time.
Her son, arguably the best front-rower in the game, admitted that her incarceration has taken a toll on their tight-knit family.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua is behind bars after she was charged with three counts of manslaughter following a December 30 crash on the Gold Coast
‘I actually spoke to her [on Sunday] on the phone and told her the news,” Haas said News Corp.
“It was good to hear from my mother. I love her dearly. She was excited. She ensures that I have both feet on the ground and tells me how it is.
“How can I make her days a little better while she’s in the slammer right now, I’ll try to do that.”
Haas also said he will be proud to represent his family at the Origin arena before the in-demand Broncos striker discusses his football future.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about rugby, I can’t talk to anyone until November 1 and I’m happy with the Broncos,” said Haas.
Despite speculation he may be defecting to the Wallabies, Haas has stated that he “hasn’t thought about” leaving the Broncos and the NRL
‘I played rugby when I was younger. I was a number 8. [But] I haven’t thought about it. At the end of the day, I’m with the Broncos.”
The Haas family was also recently rocked by another incident after 19-year-old Zeda was rushed to hospital due to a suspected drug overdose.
He has since been “read to” by his father after it emerged that the teenager had used the party drug GHB.
Zeda was taken by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition but was later released.