Leading NRL reporter Brent Read has suggested the Broncos would be a perfect fit for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui if Payne Haas decides to join R360. Haas is weighing up a $3 million per year offer from the breakaway rugby union comp, who are reportedly willing to hand over all the cash up-front.
The Broncos can only afford around $1.2 million per season, and R360 also have the incentive of offering tax-free money. It’s believed the $3 million offer is the equivalent of being on $5 million in the NRL, and Haas is reportedly leaning towards taking the life-changing money for himself and his family.
On Thursday, Read speculated that if Haas was to depart the Broncos, the NRL premiers could make a play for Fa’asuamaleaui. The Kangaroos and State of Origin star is on a lucrative 10-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2033.
Could Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (R) land at the Brisbane Broncos if Payne Haas leaves? Image: AAP/Getty
However he has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to rival clubs as of now and potentially sign elsewhere for 2027. Fa’asuamaleaui has stated he’s happy at the Titans, but he also desperately wants to win.
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Speaking on Thursday, Read said the Broncos makes perfect sense for Tino because he wouldn’t have to move his family from the Gold Coast. “I reckon the club to look out for with Tino – the more I think about it – is Brisbane. If Payne Haas goes,” Read said on the Triple M NRL podcast.
“Because he wouldn’t have to uproot his family. They’re up the road (from the Gold Coast), they’re in a (premiership) window. They’re not going to pay him what he’s on at the Gold Coast. But maybe Tino will take a little less to go there.”
Fellow journalist David Riccio said the scenario “makes sense” if the Broncos are suddenly flush with cash if Haas departs. Read added: “You can even stay on the Gold Coast and play for Brisbane.”
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui would almost be the Broncos’ ideal replacement for Payne Haas. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s family support network vitally important
As Read mentioned, a number of Broncos players actually live on the Gold Coast and commute to Brisbane for training and games. It was reported earlier this year that Michael Maguire wanted to change that and have everyone living closer to Red Hill, but it’s not clear whether that eventuated.
Speaking back in August, Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager said his family support network on the Gold Coast was very important to him and his partner. Fa’asuamaleau has been linked to the Perth Bears and Melbourne Storm – where he started his career under Craig Bellamy.
“At this stage, he wants to stay at the Titans, but it’s a business and we’ll be having a chat to interested parties,” his agent Simon Mammino told News Corp. “It won’t be money alone that lures him out because he is already one of the highest paid players in the game.
“Family is a huge factor. His in-laws live on the Gold Coast, his mum and dad are in Gympie. His family and support network is all around the Gold Coast area. If he goes to Perth, there’s no family support, so Perth will face the same challenges as Melbourne.”
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and partner Jordy Ngarimu are settled on the Gold Coast. Image: Getty
The Storm have stated they’d love to have Fa’asuamaleaui back after he debuted for the club in 2019. If he were to sign with the Broncos, it would be another dagger for Bellamy at the hands of Maguire and Brisbane. The Broncos recently snared young gun Jonah Pezet away from the Storm, which came after they beat Melbourne in the NRL grand final.