Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan offers Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas $1.2million a year
Rugby Australia boss claims the code will destroy the Broncos’ best bid for Payne Haas by throwing $1.2 million a year at the mammoth gag – as the star’s father says his son is “really keen on it” is’ to walk over
- Rugby Australia are now chasing NRL star Payne Haas
- Offer of $1.2 million per season ‘will not be matched’
- Haas’s father reportedly said Gag is “really keen” to defect
Bullish Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan has claimed the code will offer Broncos gag Payne Haas a massive $1.2 million a season to run over – and that the first rower’s father said he was ‘delighted’ wants to leave the NRL.
McLennan, who has gotten under the skin of many rugby league identities through his aggressive tactics and constant criticism of the NRL, wants the hulking 118kg enforcer on the Wallabies’ books ahead of the 2025 British Lions tour and the World Cup of 2027 on home soil.
What position Haas would play in a gold jersey is the question many footy fans want to answer – but McLennan is focused on getting the NSW Origin star to jump ship before talking squad numbers.
“I called his dad, Greg,” McLennan recalled News Corp. “We had a conversation about Payne playing rugby.
“He said Payne was really excited and the next steps were for us to catch up when I’m next in Brisbane.”
Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan has stated the code will offer Broncos prop Payne Haas a massive $1.2 million per season to defect from 2025
McLennan also clearly takes great pleasure in frustrating many rugby league identities due to his aggressive tactics and constant criticism of the NRL.
Rugby Australia has already signed Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii from 2025 on a three-year contract
Haas is out of contract with Red Hill next season – and given his form this year, he’s poised to earn $1 million plus a year if he stays in the NRL.
But it is unlikely that the Broncos – or any other club – will offer Haas $1.2 million annually, even with the recent salary cap increase.
He currently has the highest wages on the Brisbane team, earning just under $850,000 a year.
Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds admitted that if Haas continues it would be a “massive loss to the game.”
What may convince Haas to stay is the Broncos’ impressive start to the 2023 campaign – they are the current NRL ladder leaders, having lost just twice in 10 appearances.
Coach Kevin Walters is quietly convinced that his star player will stay in the engine room at the club.
“We are very comfortable with our position with Payne,” he said.
“I’m sure he has some options, but I think the good option is to stay with the Broncos and win the premierships he’s looking for.”