How Haas and Bennett can change NRL club for the next ‘20 years’

The Rugby League world was absolutely blind sided on Sunday following news of Payne Haas’ expected departure from the Broncos to South Sydney at the end of the season.

But could this be the precursor to an even bigger move involving Haas and his future coach, Wayne Bennett, in just a couple of years?

It’s been widely reported that the star prop has a clause in his three-year contract with South Sydney that allows him to leave if Bennett departs from the Rabbitohs or if R360 gets up and running.

But with the 76-year-old coach being considered for the job with the PNG Chiefs, who’ll play their first season in 2028, Bryan Fletcher pondered if the super coach might bring Haas along, should he be appointed.

“Wayne has made a bit of noise about going up to (coach) PNG, so could he take him (Haas) with him, say in two years’ time?” he asked on SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.

And if that was to happen, Joel Caine thinks it would be the ‘perfect’ move for the NRL’s 19th side and help set up the club in its first two decades.

“It would be perfect (for PNG),” Caine explained.

“If Bennett and Haas went to PNG, that’s your first two signings, that’s a big statement.

“That, honestly, and it sounds stupid saying this. But if Bennett and Haas were the very first two signings at PNG, that changes the first 20 years at PNG dramatically.”

The move in the eyes of the 2002 Premiership winner would also help with attracting other players to play alongside Haas.

“They’ve got every possible chance then of gaining other players, young players (to PNG),” Fletcher answered.

“Because who knows how Payne is going…in two years’ time (with) the trajectory he’s on. Imagine what it's going to be like if he keeps going.”

Haas is currently part of the Broncos’ travelling squad to the UK for the World Club Challenge against Willie Peter’s Hull KR.

That will be played on February 20 with SEN’s Corey Parker, Andrew McCullough and Mark Braybrook calling the match from 6am AEDT.