Gold Coast Titans star Klese Haas pays tribute to father facing the death penalty and deceased brother in emotional try celebration
- Klese is the younger brother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas
- Their father was arrested this week for alleged drug trafficking in Indonesia
- The sibling also lost their brother in 2020 and their mother is in prison
- Klese paid an emotional tribute to his family during Magic Round on Saturday
Gold Coast Titans forward Klese Haas has paid an emotional tribute to his father and brother during the Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
Haas, the younger brother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, went into the match against the Newcastle Knights with his father facing an uncertain future.
Gregor Johann Haas, 46, was arrested by police on Wednesday in Cebu City, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, and is expected to be extradited to Jakarta to face drug trafficking charges in Indonesia.
If found guilty, he faces life in prison or the firing squad.
Payne and Klese’s older brother Chace Haas died in 2020 at the age of 21, nearly two decades after the family’s 1999 car accident that left him in a wheelchair for life.
Klese Haas scores a try for the Gold Coast Titans with the words ‘Dad’ and ‘Chace’ on his wristband
Chase Haas and Klese Haas when they were children. Chase was paralyzed and died of complications in 2020
Before the match against the Knights in Brisbane, Klese wrote ‘Dad’ on his right wristband and ‘Chace’ on the left.
When he latched onto a grab kick from Sam Verrills in the first half to score a try for the Titans, he raised both arms in celebration and linked them above his head in emotional scenes.
“A little note from Klese Haas, who’s starting to have a nice little career in the first grade,” said commentator Dan Ginnane.
Klese and Payne’s mother, Joan Taufua, is in jail and charged with manslaughter after a car she was riding in killed three people in 2022.
Payne has been caring for his brothers Klese and youngest sibling Zeda Haas ever since.
Payne Haas and his father Gregor Johann Haas at the 2019 NRL Dally M Awards
In 2020, he spoke about the pain of losing his older brother Chase and how he resigned from the Bronco’s game against the Canberra Raiders as his health deteriorated.
“Confused atm, but I know you don’t want me down, I’m just going to keep going until my heart stops like you did!” I love you forever, my best friend, my role model, but most of all my big brother,” Payne said on Instagram at the time.
“I’m going to miss our banter and seeing your big smile every time I come home to see you, but I know you’ll be watching over all of us every step of the way. Thank you for being there for me when no one else was. I will carry your name with me everywhere.
“I did this for you before this happened and I will continue to do this for you. Most loyal person I’ve ever met. Honestly, I miss you already, Ride or Die my Hitta, I’ll see you soon. Say hello to grandma for me too.’