Family is ultimately at the heart of Payne Haas’ decision on whether he takes $3 million per season and a 10-year ban from the NRL, or sticks with the Brisbane Broncos. The premiership-winner is said to be leaning towards joining rebel rugby union comp R360, which would mean his career in the NRL is effectively ended.
R360 is said to be offering a whopping $3 million per season – and it comes with tax incentives. Haas would effectively earn the equivalent of $5 million for one year’s work in R360, as it wouldn’t be taxed like it would in Australia. But the NRL has stated any player who agrees to join R360 while under contract will be banned for 10 years.
The Broncos can only afford to offer about $1.2m per season on a new deal from 2027, but have stated they’d be open to offering Haas a job for his post-football career as well. Ultimately, Haas is trying to decide whether to take the life-changing money that would be a game-changer for him and his young family amid a difficult situation.
Payne Haas has two kids with fiancee Leilani, and also looks after two of his brothers. Image: Getty
Payne Haas’ difficult family situation
Haas has two little kids with partner Leilani, but is also guardian of two of his young brothers – Hans and Geejay – who are both of school age. Haas has taken on a whole lot of responsibility at the tender age of 25 because both of his parents are incarcerated.
Haas’ father Gregor was arrested in the Philippines last year, charged with drug trafficking. His mother Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua is also facing manslaughter charges, and is accused of fleeing a car accident on the Gold Coast in 2022 that resulted in three deaths.
Payne Haas has a fiancee and four kids to think about. Image: Payne Haas
Speaking last year, Haas’ fiancee Leilani heaped praise on the Broncos forward for the way he’s handled himself amid the delicate situation. “I’m just so proud of him,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He is so strong mentally. His whole life is in the media. What he is doing for his family, what he is doing for me. I’m sorry if I can’t put it into words. His strength is just … he is amazing. He’s really stepped up to care for those young boys. I don’t know how he doesn’t collapse.”
Haas also paid tribute to Leilani for taking on the responsibility with him. “I get supported by Lani and I’m unable to thank her enough,” he said. “She is in a tough spot but she doesn’t back down from anything. She has taken on so much for me and I can’t thank her enough for that.”
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Bryan Fletcher says he would join R360 in same situation
If Haas moved overseas to play rugby, he’d likely have to relocate four kids and his partner. There’s no doubt they’d all be afforded the utmost of luxuries by organisers of the cashed-up rugby comp.
NRL great Bryan Fletcher said on the ‘Kayo Sports NRL’ podcast on Wednesday night: “We know Payne’s history off the field with his family, and he has been quite vocal about saying how he wants to look after his own kids and his siblings. I don’t begrudge him…I would do it, I feel that the premiership win this year, the premiership was the carrot he wanted.”