Under pressure Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has declared that Payne Haas “loves” the Broncos even though he’s walking away from the club at the end of 2027.
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Haas shocked the rugby league world in February when he announced he was leaving the Broncos to link up with Souths, just months after he won a premiership at the club.
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Since then, things have gone from bad to worse for the Broncos and they’ve gone on to produce the worst season by a defending premier since Wests in the early 1950s.
They could still get the wooden spoon after winning just one match since April.
Ahead of Friday night’s game against Canberra, Maguire was asked about Haas and his attitude as his time at the Broncos comes to an end.
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Maguire dismissed rumours that his star forward was just going through the motions until the season ends in three weeks.
“That’s not the Payne that I know. I enjoy coaching Payne and I’ve got to know Payne really well over the last couple of years and even prior to that,” Maguire said.
“He loves the club. He’s obviously got a couple of games that he’s going to cherish with these players and I’m looking forward to him doing that.”
Haas will line up in the front row on Friday evening in the nation’s capital despite reports that he’s set to miss the World Cup to undergo hand surgery at the end of the season.
“He’s running around at training today, so he looks pretty good to me. I’m looking forward to a big game for Payno tomorrow,” Maguire said.
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire claimed Payne Haas loved the club.Source: FOX SPORTS
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The Broncos coach was asked about his future at the club and if he should stay on net year after a disaster of a title defence.
“I don’t think that far ahead. I’m about tomorrow and tomorrow’s game,” Maguire said.
“I don’t pay any attention to that. I love my coaching, I love coaching this group, so I’ll keep doing it as long as I can.”
This week, NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said there were “rumours swirling around” that Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam could join Haas at Souths if Cody Walker retires.
Maguire played a straight bat when asked whether Mam’s future at the club was in doubt and just repeated his current situation as it stands while also telling the media how much his half loved the Broncos.
“Ezra’s got a couple of years to go on his contract. He’s a Bronco. He loves the club. Ezra’s well and truly a Bronco and he does love the club,” Maguire said.