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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Payne Haas says he\u2019s fully fit and ready for a State of Origin recall, but concedes the thought of helping NSW seal the series is not at the forefront of his mind.<\/p>\n Having missed just four potential games for the Blues since his 2019 debut, it was a rare feeling for the Brisbane Broncos enforcer to be watching from the comfort of his couch \u2013 admitting to feeling anxious right until the controversial send-off of Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga in the 57th minute on Wednesday night.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Haas had been ruled out of game one selection due to a knee injury in his club\u2019s round seven clash with Wests Tigers, but has been named for his NRL comeback on Sunday against the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n While NSW got the job done and closed out a 22-20 triumph of the Maroons at the death, three of their tries came after Ponga was given his marching orders for what was deemed a shoulder charge by referee Ashley Klein on Tolu Koula. The decision has polarised pundits and fans, with many suggesting the incident was a head clash, despite Ponga failing to wrap his arms as he braced for collision.<\/p>\n Related Article No Blues forward surpassed 100 running metres on the night, while Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti was not used.<\/p>\n But Haas insists his thoughts are on helping rescue the Broncos out of a three-game losing streak, rather than vying to join his state\u2019s engine room for game two on June 17.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll just stay present here and worry about my footy here. Obviously, we\u2019re in a bit of a slump at the moment, so I just want to get back to playing Broncos footy and try to get the win this week,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get what you deserve. When we get there [to game two selections] we\u2019ll cross that bridge, but obviously playing for your state is always a blessing and it\u2019s a huge honour.<\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit nervous until KP got sent off, after that happened I was pretty confident. I\u2019m just glad the boys got the win; they stuck tough and got the win, so that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n While there was a small hope Haas could have been fit to return for the Broncos\u2019 Magic Round clash with the Warriors, which took place the day before Origin selections, he said he was never going to be ready to perform at his best for NSW.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew the extent of my injury and I had to be pretty cautious with it and make sure I\u2019m right for the Broncos first and foremost. That\u2019s my whole focus,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n Haas makes his Brisbane comeback at a crossroads in their season, and at a time when they are starting to lighten what had become an overflowing casualty ward. Ahead of Magic Round, the Broncos had 13 players sidelined through injuries, suspensions and personal reasons, but Haas will be joined by Kotoni Staggs, Brendan Piakura, Grant Anderson and Jack Gosiewski as players who missed that Warriors\u2019 defeat.<\/p>\n Related Article Haas believes the injury toll \u2013 one that now includes edge forward Jordan Riki, who has undergone foot surgery on a plantar fascia issue \u2013 was not at fault for the club\u2019s slide, but rather their own ill-discipline had been their downfall.<\/p>\n But he was adamant he would be making his own return free of the concerns that hindered his season, and warned he would be back as a more intimidating presence than before.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a blessing in disguise, to be honest, being injured \u2013 just sitting back, observing and having a look at where we can improve as a team and as an individual. I\u2019ve been looking at myself and my own game, and obviously having that has been a blessing,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 100 per cent ready to go, I trained with the team fully the other day, so I\u2019m ready to go, and I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Payne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a9f23c5436825e4c4da1a1e37b3cd215d49d2bb4.jpeg\")
Payne Haas at Blues training.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Ready](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/86cfdbfc4bc0f7dd1ad4b283918ade372b7e0d70.jpeg\")
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