Payne Haas’ Shock Move to Souths: NRL World Stunned as Broncos Star Eyes One Last Brisbane Title
The rugby league landscape was shaken this week with the bombshell announcement that Broncos powerhouse Payne Haas will be heading to the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a lucrative three-year deal, commencing in 2027. The move, which has been kept under wraps with remarkable secrecy, caught even the NRL’s top brass by surprise.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo admitted his bewilderment at the news. “I was surprised; it had obviously been kept well under wraps,” Abdo commented. “It’s terrific for Rabbitohs fans that they’ve got something to look forward to in a year’s time, but it’s also great for Broncos fans that they get to see Payne go out and play as he has for the past few years for one more season. I didn’t see this one coming, but good luck to the Rabbitohs and well done to the Broncos because they are the reigning premiers.”
Haas, widely regarded as the game’s premier prop and one of the greatest forwards of all time, made his NRL debut against the Rabbitohs back in 2018. Since then, he has established himself as a dominant force, consistently delivering exceptional performances. His departure from Brisbane after the 2026 season will undoubtedly leave a significant void for the Broncos.
However, the Brisbane club is determined to use Haas’ impending exit as a catalyst for success. Injured star Billy Walters believes the team can channel this news into motivation to achieve back-to-back premierships before Haas, and departing veteran Adam Reynolds, leave the club.
Walters shared his thoughts on the unexpected development. “It was a bit of a weird one because it was a shock, but that’s all part of rugby league because you never know what’s going to happen,” Walters told reporters. “Although it’s disappointing that we’re losing Payne, he’s been so good for our club and has probably been the best forward for the past five years. I’m not looking forward to tackling him next year, so I’m looking forward to having him this year where he’s on my team. He’s such a good signing for the Bunnies and it’s a shame we’re losing him, but we’re going to make every moment count. I know he’s dedicated to finishing on a high. It would have been tough on him because there’s such a good brotherhood at the Broncos, but he has to do what’s right for him and we’ll all support him in that. It was a bit of a shock, but it’s good that it’s done now and we can focus on making sure we do everything to go back to back.”
Rabbitohs Secure Major Signing Amidst Club Rebuilding
For the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Haas’ signing represents a monumental coup. This comes at a crucial time for the proud club, which has endured a difficult couple of seasons, finishing in the bottom four for the past two years. The news offers a significant boost to morale and signals a renewed sense of optimism for the Redfern faithful.
The Rabbitohs have also faced other significant player movements, with news earlier that Keaon Koloamatangi will be heading to the Dragons in 2027.
Rabbitohs captain Cam Murray, speaking at the NRL season launch in Sydney, acknowledged the surprise element of Haas’ recruitment. “It was a bit of a downer finding out that Keaon was moving on,” Murray stated. “But I thought the club did really well to keep everything under wraps and go shopping. I really don’t know what happened behind closed doors and I was as surprised as everyone else when I found out. Whatever happened was very respectful with the secrecy and how they kept everything in those negotiations private. It’s a massive win for the club considering where we were as a club a few years ago.”
Murray expressed his delight at the prospect of playing alongside Haas. “I’m stoked; everyone is. I’m just really happy that Payne’s got the confidence that he can come here and find success at this club and contribute to what we’ve been doing. I’m really happy with the news, but that’s next year. We have to get over it as fast as we can and focus on being successful this year.”
What This Means for Both Clubs
For the Brisbane Broncos:
- Immediate Focus: The Broncos will be keen to harness the talent of Haas for one more season, aiming to build on their recent premiership success.
- Future Planning: The club will need to begin strategic planning for life without Haas, potentially looking for new talent to fill the prop position.
- Motivation: The impending departure of key players like Haas and the retiring Adam Reynolds could serve as a powerful motivator for the current squad to achieve further success.
For the South Sydney Rabbitohs:
- Recruitment Coup: Securing a player of Haas’ calibre is a significant statement of intent for the Rabbitohs.
- Rebuilding Phase: His arrival signals a potential turning point for the club as they look to climb the premiership ladder.
- Future Core: Haas will likely form a cornerstone of the Rabbitohs’ forward pack for years to come, alongside other emerging talents.
While the long-term implications of this move will unfold over the coming seasons, one thing is certain: Payne Haas’ decision to join the Rabbitohs has injected a fresh wave of excitement and anticipation into the NRL. For now, all eyes will be on Brisbane as they prepare to witness Haas’ final season in the Broncos’ colours, with the ultimate goal of adding another title to his illustrious career before he makes his highly anticipated move to Sydney.
