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ARLC Boss Lifts Lid on Brisbane Trip to Secure NRL Star
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys has publicly revealed details of a recent, high-stakes meeting with Brisbane Broncos superstar Payne Haas, confirming his personal intervention to keep one of the NRL’s top assets in the code. The meeting, which V’landys was reportedly unhappy became public knowledge, took place in Brisbane amidst intense speculation linking the NSW and Samoa front-rower to the now-delayed rebel rugby union competition, R360.
The 25-year-old Haas had become the prime target of R360, with rumors suggesting an eye-watering contract offer of $3 million per season was tabled. Although fears of his immediate departure have subsided since R360 postponed its launch until 2028, V’landys took no chances, personally traveling to meet the player seen as “essential to this game.”
Maturity and Character: “A Beautiful Human Being”
V’landys was effusive in his praise for the destructive Broncos forward, going beyond his playing ability to commend his personal character.
“All I will say is that I went into the meeting thinking that Payne was an impressive person. The only thing I got wrong was just how impressive he is,” V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He really blew me away with his level of maturity and care for his loved ones. He is a beautiful human being.”
The ARLC boss’s focus on Haas’s character and commitment suggests that the discussions centered on more than just money, but on the future, stability, and integrity of his career within rugby league. V’landys stressed the significance of retaining Haas: “We’ve been fortunate to have him in rugby league and naturally I don’t want him going anywhere because his playing ability and character are essential to this game.” This public declaration serves as an immediate deterrent to any future poaching attempts by rival codes.
V’landys Takes a Swipe at the Rebel League
True to form, V’landys used the opportunity to reinforce his strong skepticism towards the viability of the rebel rugby competition, R360. His comments serve as a fresh warning to any remaining NRL players who might still be considering the cross-code switch.
“As I’ve said to all the players publicly, they need to be very careful about entering into any kind of deal to go to an unsanctioned competition, which is promising the world, but may deliver a trip to Victoria,” V’landys quipped, reiterating his long-standing criticism.
The ARLC chairman’s intervention comes after two high-profile players, Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen, were granted releases from their respective NRL contracts and were heavily linked with the now-stalled R360 venture.
V’landys’ personal assurance to Payne Haas confirms the NRL’s top brass views the Broncos star as indispensable, successfully putting to rest one of the biggest contract sagas of the season and securing the long-term future of one of the game’s elite talents within the National Rugby League.