Payne Haas 'seriously' considering move to rugby union

NRL superstar Payne Haas is reportedly ‘seriously’ considering a move back to rugby union, the game he played as a youngster.

Haas has been a standout player for the Brisbane Broncos over the past few years, but sources close to the 23-year-old have revealed that he is seriously weighing up his options, with the 13-man code worrying that he could be next Joseph Suaalii-style code-switcher.

Haas has a background in rugby union, having played the sport before switching to rugby league as a teenager.

He was a star for his school rugby team and was even selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in 2016. Haas cuts an imposing figure on a rugby league field at 194cm and weighing in at 120kg.  He could potentially be deployed as hard running loose forward or giant, defence-busting back in rugby union in the mould of Semi Radradra.

‘Rugby is something Payne would seriously look at. Payne loves rugby league and the Broncos, but he has played rugby as a kid,” Haas’ father Gregor told the Australian Daily Telegraph this weekend.

‘People bag rugby in Australia but they don’t look at the bigger picture. The NRL is very small compared to rugby, which is a world game.’

Rugby Australia is said to be keen to bring Haas back to the code and are likely to be able to outbid anything the Broncos can offer him. A number of cash-rich French clubs are also reportedly interested in signing the talented forward, which means that Rugby Australia’s offer could also be gazumped.

Haas has been one of the Broncos’ best players over the past few seasons, earning a reputation as one of the most dominant forwards in the NRL. He was named the Broncos’ player of the year in 2020 and has represented both New South Wales and Australia at the highest level.

Despite his success in rugby league, Haas has never lost his love for rugby union and has been keeping a close eye on the sport in recent years. He is said to be excited at the prospect of returning to his roots and playing the sport he grew up loving.

Haas is yet to make a decision on his future, but the prospect of a big-money offer from Rugby Australia or a French club could prove too tempting to turn down.