Ex-Broncos coach Kevin Walters finds it “puzzling” that Payne Haas is set to leave Brisbane.

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Haas will join Souths from next season, deciding to continue his career elsewhere after the 2026 campaign, following a glittering nine-year Broncos career.

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Walters, who coached Haas between 2020 and 2024, finds his former star prop’s decision to leave the Broncos as “puzzling” and said he wouldn’t have let the 26-year-old walk out the door.

“If you have Payne Haas in your stable, you do not lose Payne Haas,” Walters said on the Inside Ball podcast.

“If I was coaching in the NRL, he would be one of the first players I would target, so hats off to Wayne Bennett.

“He has fallen in his hands, it’s great for the Souths fans.”

Walters was asked by Inside Ball co-host Ben Dobbin if he could have convinced Haas to stay, replying: “But I’m not coaching there.”

Just 12 months after a grand final berth, Walters was fired after a disappointing 2024 season and replaced by Michael Maguire.

Now the Kangaroos coach, Walters revealed he has texted Haas, who he calls the “world’s best prop”.

“I haven’t spoken to him, I’ve only texted him … He is OK,” Walters said.

Kevin Walters and Payne Haas.Source: News Corp Australia

“It is puzzling why he has left. I don’t think it was about money, so what was it about? We are probably never going to know.

“It is a bit strange without knowing the full details and facts.

“He bleeds Brisbane. It’s just one of those mysteries.

“Some of the Souths players thought it was April Fool’s Day.”

Dobbin is of the opinion that things at the Broncos might not be so rosy if Haas wants to leave.

“It’s a strange, strange decision,” he said.

“I don’t think Brisbane are that disappointed. They believe there is life after Payne.”

Haas revealed earlier this week that any rumours of a fractured relationship between him, the club or Michael Maguire were “far from the truth”.

“My decision, it was pretty hard to be honest. Obviously, I love the Broncos and it’s all I’ve known since a kid, since I came in from school,” Haas said.

“The main factor for me was family. Nothing else to be honest. I felt that being a leader for my family is probably the best move for us to have a change and a fresh new start.”