BRISBANE: NSW coach Brad Fittler is under no illusions one man is key if the Blues are to secure an unlikely Suncorp Stadium victory — Payne Haas.
The Broncos enforcer is one of the NRL’s best forwards, leading Brisbane to first place through 16 rounds under Kevin Walters, and sitting atop the Dally M leaderboard when voting when behind closed doors after Round 16.
The 23-year-old will spearhead a Blues forward pack in what could be the biggest test of his short career — and if he produces his best in the Origin arena it could boost what is already set to be a huge payday.
Haas’ current contract expires at the end of 2024 and is free to field offers from rivals come November 1, with multiple clubs circling.
Reports emerged that Broncos powerbrokers were plotting a bid to make him the club’s highest ever paid player, while Rugby Australia have made no secret of their desires to recruit him.
Now Haas has a chance to deliver a matchwinning performance on Wednesday night which could see Brisbane bosses sharpen their pencils.
“He’s massive, he’s probably one of the best front rowers in the game at the moment,” Blues skipper James Tedesco said on Tuesday.
“He’s been like that for a couple of years now. Just his work rate and his motor is pretty unbelievable, even from a front rower.
“He’s playing up here (Suncorp Stadium) which will probably lift him a bit, so I’ve just got to hang around him because he’s going to create some opportunities for us.
“Off his runs, his quick play-the-balls and offloads, but just his work rate as a middle is quite extraordinary.
“So he is going to be a big part of us winning the game tomorrow night.”
Tedesco also said that Haas has “accepted” the fans that would usually cheer him at the Broncos’ home ground will likely turn on him for one night.
For the Broncos Haas averages 59 minutes this season, running for 165 metres per-game from 17.8 carries to go with 55 total tackle breaks.
However, Haas has the ability to play big stints in the middle and in his most recent NRL appearance stayed on the field for 69 minutes in a win over the Knights.
Fittler explained his barnstorming prop could become “the most valuable player” on the field in Game II if the ball stays in play.
He also hinted Haas could find himself in the middle for close to 70 minutes, dwarfing his 50 minute stint in Game I in which he ran for 132 metres with 20 tackles and zero misses.
“You have to wait for the game and see what it provides but I think the times they bring him off in Brisbane you wonder why,” Fittler said.
“He seems to be doing better than anyone out there... he absorbs so much. When you watch a video and you go over your game he is just there constantly.
“He has got that big motor and we are going to call on it, because the ball-in-play (time) wasn’t that huge in Adelaide. There was a lot of errors and a few penalties.
“I’ve seen games here (Suncorp) where the penalties have been 2-1 and you are out on your feet so all of a sudden Payne becomes your most valuable player.”
