Brisbane is reportedly set for a double blow with news dropping that Adam Reynolds will retire only hours after Payne Haas‘ shock contract call.
Reynolds turns 36 this season, with 9news Queensland reporting he’s expected to retire at the end of the season.
The halfback joined the Broncos in 2022 and won his second NRL premiership last year.
READ MORE: YouTuber kicked out of major event as Aussie star surges
READ MORE: ‘Crazy’ moment Aussie star outsmarted the NFL world
READ MORE: Kyle left Australia at just 18. Now, he’s a wrestling superstar
Adam Reynolds of the Broncos poses with the premiership trophy. Getty
The Broncos will now likely be without Reynolds and Haas in 2027 after the prop’s decision to sign with the Rabbitohs.
The game’s best front-rower was off-contract with Brisbane beyond this season and was originally linked with R360 before the competition’s start date was delayed.
After that touted move fell through, reports indicated Haas would remain at the club, but the 26-year-old has since informed Broncos teammates of his decision to join the Rabbitohs once his contract expires on a three-year deal.
South Sydney officially confirmed that the club had lodged the contract with the NRL and will now wait for the 10-day cooling off period to conclude.
Payne Haas. Getty
Haas won a premiership with the Broncos last year and will fly out with the club for the World Club Challenge against Hull KR this week.
He has played 142 first grade games since making his debut as a teenager and has been named Broncos’ player of the year on a record six occasions.
Haas has also played for NSW, Australia and Samoa at representative level.
Brisbane confirmed his looming departure in a statement on Sunday afternoon.
“Payne Haas and his management have advised the Broncos that he intends to depart the club at the end of the 2026 season,” the statement said.
“A signed contract reflecting that position has been lodged with the NRL and the Broncos will make no further comment on the matter until the expiration of the normal ten-day cooling off period.”
Payne Haas. NRL imagery
League great James Graham was left stunned by the news and ranked it alongside Cooper Cronk’s move to the Roosters in 2018 in terms of shock signings.
“Wow, who saw this coming? Not me, nobody in the NRL saw it coming either,” he said via The Bye Round podcast’s social media page.
“I’ve got to say congratulations to South Sydney for keeping this one under wraps, because loose lips sometimes sink ships.
“The biggest signing in the NRL era. For me, this supersedes Cooper Cronk signing from the Melbourne Storm to the Sydney Roosters back in 2018.
“I have Payne Haas as the best forward in the competition as it stands and arguably to ever play our great game.”
South Sydney recently confirmed the departure of Keaon Koloamatangi for 2027 and beyond, with the Kangaroos forward set to join the Dragons on a five-year contract.
Cody Walker is off-contract with Souths at the end of this season, while the current contracts of Jai Arrow, Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell all expire at the end of 2027.
Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray is signed until the end of 2028.