Source : ABC NEWS
Payne Haas has spoken publicly for the first time about his move to South Sydney in 2027, denying he has “bad blood” with Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
Haas will leave the Broncos at the end of the upcoming NRL season, with the decision announced earlier this month.
He said the suggestion he had fallen out with Maguire was wide of the mark.
“It’s BS to be honest. I get along with Madge (Maguire) a lot,” Haas said.
“We won State of Origin together, won a premiership and there’s no sour taste or nothing like that … no bad blood. We’re on good terms and I’m going to enjoy this last year with him as well.
“Our ultimate goal is to win a comp and that’s what we’re all striving for here.
“There’s no sugarcoating it. He was a bit shocked and fair enough, but he understood my decision and he was happy for me. We’ve all moved on.”
Michael Maguire has worked with Payne Haas at club and State of Origin level. (AAP: Darren England)
Haas said his decision to join the Rabbitohs was inspired by family reasons and the opportunity to play again under Wayne Bennett.
Bennett gave Haas his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2018.
But Haas said their bond extended further than the usual coach-player relationship.
“My brother [Chase] was quadriplegic. He was disabled and Wayne had a son [Justin] who was disabled, and that’s how we sort of connected,” Haas said.
“I feel like our relationship started from that and he’s someone I can trust and lean on.
“It wouldn’t have been that easy if I didn’t have Wayne there. I would have looked at other options.
“Wayne gave me my debut as well and we’ve got that sort of connection and relationship already.”
Haas said family issues — which he wanted to keep private — also influenced his decision.
“Some things the last couple of weeks before [signing] were happening in my life personally and privately,” he said.
“As a partner and a father, I had to make that decision pretty quick, and that was to move back down to Sydney and move close to my family.
“It was definitely hard. There were some sleepless nights before I made that decision, but I’m content with that decision and I had to make the call.”
AAP
