BRISBANE, QLD — As the Brisbane Broncos intensify preparations for the upcoming World Club Challenge clash, the focus at Red Hill is split between silverware and securing the future of their greatest asset: superstar prop Payne Haas. The club was handed a massive, unexpected boost this week with the delayed launch of the rebel rugby union competition, R360, giving the NRL club a crucial lifeline in their efforts to retain the generational talent.
Broncos captain Pat Carrigan, known for his dry wit, brought a moment of levity to the high-stakes contract saga, joking about the sheer athleticism of his teammate. When asked about Haas’s future, Carrigan delivered a hilarious quip, stating he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Cricket Australia was already out in Brisbane attempting to sign the powerhouse prop, implying Haas’s talents are so vast they transcend Rugby League and even the lucrative pull of the rival R360 code.
The $6 Million Pivot and the R360 Reprieve
Haas had been linked to a colossal $6 million (AUD) contract offer from R360, the proposed breakaway global rugby union competition that had been aggressively targeting top-tier NRL stars. The deal, reportedly worth up to $3 million per season with tax incentives, represented a life-changing sum that put immense pressure on the Broncos’ salary cap and retention strategy.
However, news that R360 has pushed back its planned launch by two years—from 2026 until 2028—has been music to the ears of the Brisbane Broncos hierarchy. This unexpected delay severely compromises the immediate threat of defection for players like Haas, whose current Broncos contract expires at the end of the 2026 season.
While the postponement does not completely rule out Haas making the switch to rugby union, it buys the Broncos invaluable time. It gives the club nearly two full seasons to table a new, lucrative long-term contract offer and demonstrate the club’s continued commitment to winning NRL Premierships.
Broncos in Pole Position
The initial R360 launch date of October 2026 meant Haas would have had to make a final decision on a monumental, potentially career-defining contract before the end of the current season. Now, with the rugby league star off-contract at the end of next season and facing a delayed rival proposition, the Broncos are suddenly in pole position to secure his signature.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has previously stated the club is desperate to retain Haas and make him the highest-paid prop in NRL history, a testament to his value as a five-time Paul Morgan Medallist and an elite representative star for New South Wales and Samoa.
The immediate focus for the team, however, remains fixed on the pitch. The playful banter from captain Carrigan comes as the Brisbane Broncos finalize their preparations to face the Super League champions, the Penrith Panthers, in the World Club Challenge. Securing a trophy before the new NRL season begins would be the perfect way to reinforce the club’s winning culture—a factor that may ultimately weigh heavier on Haas’s final decision than any reported multi-million-dollar deal.