Rugby Australia are reportedly planning to poach one of the NRL’s best forwards ahead of the 2027 World Cup — Payne Haas.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Rugby Australia have previously held talks with the Broncos superstar while Dave Rennie was head coach in 2021.
However, the 15-man code reportedly stopped their bid to poach the 23-year-old after he was involved in a drunken incident with NSW Police.
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Haas was subsequently slapped with a three-match ban and a $50,000 fine for his foul-mouthed tirade, with RA officials flying in to Queensland for secret meetings.
However, Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has confirmed that the rival code will be making a big play to lure Haas away from rugby league.
“Payne could definitely be wearing Wallaby gold,” McLennan told News Corp.
“We really like Payne. He has a strong rugby pedigree and it’s probably time for him to spread his wings and do something really special.
“The Broncos are great — but playing for the Wallabies against the British Lions would be even better.
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“By playing rugby, Payne can see the world.”
The move comes after Rugby Australia signed Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii on a whopping deal worth north of $4.8 million over three years, starting in 2025.
Haas is off-contract at the end of the 2024 season and is free to negotiate with rivals come November 1.
That makes the barnstorming prop available for the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 and the World Cup on Australian soil in 2027.
As it stands, no formal approach has been made to Haas’ management however the Broncos are aware of the rival code’s interest.
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Brisbane powerbrokers had reportedly already begun talks to re-sign their current highest-paid player who is said to be earning north of $800,000-per-season.
Broncos bosses are reportedly willing to offer the gun prop a $1 million salary, becoming the club’s first ever million-dollar player.
Haas has a history in the 15-man code, previously being a part of the Wallabies’ Gold junior development and playing the 15-man code in Newcastle before he moved to the Gold Coast.
His management is also set to play a major role in any deal, having a close relationship with Khoder Nasser, who manages Sonny Bill Williams.
Williams is renowned for being one of the most successful cross-code stars, having won the World Cup with the All Blacks.
