Broncos land cooling off bombshell as Haas breaks silence

• Broncos will not stand in Haas way
• Haas will join the Rabbitohs in 2027

Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has confirmed to SEN that the club will waive the 10-day cooling off period for Payne Haas.

Haas dropped a surprise on Sunday when it was announced that he will join the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a three-year deal from 2027.

The NRL has a 10-day cooling off period that allows clubs to make a last ditch effort to retain their player. Donaghy told SEN that the Broncos would not stand in Haas’ way.

“There’s been plenty of people trying to tell Payne and our story,” Donaghy said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Payne has made a decision and he’s been really clear about it. He’s signed elsewhere.

“Once he makes his mind up, he’s committed.

“Unfortunately, we will be farewelling Payne at the end of the year. You hate to do it but it’s ultimately a decision that Payne has made and we’ll respect that.

“We’ve let all the relevant parties know that we won’t be holding on to the 10-day cooling off period.

“It allows everyone to draw a line and move forward.

“The priority is now the World Club Challenge (and) maximise the opportunities for this year.”

There was speculation that the Broncos had offered a lowball offer to Haas which led to the NSW State of Origin representative to look elsewhere.

Donaghy dismissed those claims and said the Broncos and Haas’ management conducted contract negotiations civilly.

“It’s easy to throw peanuts from the cheap seats,” Donaghy added.

“We’ve been dealing with Payne and his agent behind closed doors for the last nine months.

“(R360) could’ve potentially played a role (in Haas’ departure).

“The conversations have been respectful and transparent.

“For reasons and factors out of our control, Haas has decided to not continue at the club.

"We would've loved to have seen him at the Broncos.

"We'll tkae a bit of stock, look at the market and look to strengthen the squad in 2027."

Earlier, Haas broke his silence around the bombshell defection to the Rabbitohs in a bid to silence the conspiracy theories being aimed at Michael Maguire.

On Sunday it was confirmed that the 26-year-old would be joining the Sydney club at the end of 2026 despite efforts from the Broncos to keep him long-term.

The deal is believed to be for three years with get out clauses should Wayne Bennett leave Souths or the delayed R360 gets up and running.

Since the news broke and in the absence of any explanation as to why Haas was opting to leave, speculation has centred on the extreme training regime of Maguire as the reason for the defection.

Now, looking to set the record straight, Haas has spoken from England in a club-issued video.

“I can’t believe the stuff with ‘Madge’,” Haas said.

“I can’t believe all the speculation and all the rumours that have been tossed up.

“It’s far from the truth, to be honest, and that’s me being honest and truthful and transparent.

“There’s nothing wrong with us, we just won a premiership together. We won a State of Origin together (2024).

“We’ve got a great relationship and I enjoy working hard under Madge. I’m a hard worker myself and that’s what I pride myself on. The way we work is what I love and I love doing that day in, day out.

“For everyone saying that kind of stuff, it’s not true, and it’s unfair to Madge and the Broncs as well.”

Money is not believed to be the motivation behind the move with the Souths deal similar to his current salary. Wayne Bennett has been the drawcard for Haas and his family.

Like Bennett, the prop has a complicated background and the pair have bonded over this in the past.

“My decision, it was pretty hard to be honest,” he said.

“Obviously, I love the Broncs and it’s all I’ve known since a kid, since I came in from school.

“The main factor for me was family. Nothing else, to be honest. I felt being a leader for my family is probably the best move for us to have a change and a fresh new start.

“I’ve got lots of support down there as well with my family and my agent as well, he’s down there, he’s like a second dad to me. I need those kind of people around me, especially now for my siblings and my daughter and for my son as well.

“I feel like being a leader, I had to lead and make that decision and it was not just myself but my partner as well. We thought as a family that would be the best for us.”