Walters: I could have kept Haas at Broncos

Former Broncos Kevin Walters has tipped his hat to Wayne Bennett for the NRL heist of the decade but doesn’t believe the truth about why Payne Haas is leaving Brisbane will ever be fully known.

The NRL world was left shell shock at the start of this week after it was confirmed Haas would defect to the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2026 season on a three-year deal.

The rumour mill has been in over drive ever since with conspiracy throeies ranging from a fall out with the coach to clauses including an exit to R360 should the rebel league ever get off the ground.

Haas, his manager and Wayne Bennett have all moved to set the record straight, with the 26-year-old prop insisting there is no bad blood and that the move was entirely motivated by what is best for his family.

Walters has now entered the debate revealing he has been in contact with Haas since the bombshell was dropped, admitting he remains confused about the move.

“I haven’t spoken to him, I’ve only texted him,” Walters said on his podcast. “He is OK. There is a fair bit of stress on everyone, but he is OK.

“He is the world’s best prop and anyone who wants to argue that doesn’t know rugby league.

“It is puzzling why he has left. I don’t think it was about money, so what was it about?

“We are probably never going to know.

“He bleeds Brisbane. It’s just one of those mysteries. Some of the Souths players thought it was April Fool’s Day.

“It will never be revealed the exact reasons, it will just stay underwater.”

Walters was an integral part of the Broncos securing Haas’ signature on a contract extension in 2023, and the former coach believes he could have helped keep the prop in QLD.

“Yeah … but I’m not coaching there,” he said when asked if he could have retained Haas.

“If I was coaching in the NRL, he would be one of the first players I would target, so hats off to Wayne Bennett.

“He has fallen in his hands, it’s great for the Souths fans.

“It is a bit strange without knowing the full details and facts.

“Normally when your club wins a premiership and they have been to two grand finals in three years, the value of your players rises, it’s constantly rising with the salary cap and you are constantly under pressure to keep players.

“But Payne Haas is the peg in the ground, a long-term player.

“If you have Payne Haas in your stable, you do not lose Payne Haas.”