Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has emphatically rejected any suggestion that prop Payne Haas could be released early to South Sydney this season, instead naming him as captain for Friday night's clash against the Sydney Roosters.
Haas, who has spent his entire NRL career with the Broncos, is set to join the Rabbitohs next season. Reports emerged that Maguire received a text from a businessman with links to South Sydney inquiring about a potential release before the June 30 deadline.
Maguire's firm stance on Haas
Maguire made it clear there was no chance of an early departure. “No. No chance. Basically Payne has invested everything into this year,” Maguire said. “We’d love a few different results, but Payne has been in everything. He’s in my office, he’s working hard with the leaders.”
The Broncos have endured a tough season, losing six consecutive games and sitting in 13th position on the ladder. Despite the slump, Maguire insisted the group remains motivated. “This group is well and truly alive,” he said, expressing confidence they could still challenge for the finals.
Haas was named captain in the absence of injured regular skipper Adam Reynolds, a decision Maguire described as “an easy decision.” “Just to see what he has done and put the club where it has been. He is hungry as. He loves the club and we know he’s leaving at the end (of the season), but he also has a massive passion for what the club has done for him,” Maguire added.
Focus on the present
Maguire stressed that his focus remains on the current season. “I don’t look to the future. We are looking at now. We’ve got a massive opportunity as a club and as a playing group. Over time we may have our full complement of players back at the right time, but we’ve got to get going now,” he said.
The coach also expressed confidence in fullback Reece Walsh, who played a key role in last year's finals run. “There’s no reason why he can’t,” Maguire said of Walsh replicating that form. “Reece the last couple of months has put his head down and worked really hard. Those rewards will come. It’s up to the team to get that going and if they do it for each other, I know I’ve got one hell of a team.”
Hunt gets chance at halfback
Veteran Ben Hunt will start at halfback in place of Reynolds, having re-signed with the club until the end of 2027. Maguire praised Hunt's versatility. “We all know he loves playing seven, but when I signed Hunty I sat down with him and spoke about what the team might look like in the future. He said, ‘Madge, wherever I can play, I’ll play’. He did that last year, he’s doing it this year and now gets the opportunity to play seven,” Maguire said.
