'Play with his brother': Manager spills on NRL club Payne Haas will be at in 2027
Payne Haas' manager has admitted he can't see him leaving the Brisbane Broncos, and a contract clause means he might get to play with brother Klese in the near future. Reports emerged last weekend that Haas was set to test the open market on November 1 after a list of players - including his name - was sent by his management group to all 17 clubs.
But Haas' manager has since moved to clear up confusion over the situation, saying it's standard procedure to send out the list. Haas is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2026, meaning he's free to negotiate with rival clubs as of November 1 this year.
But the front-rower's manager can't see that happening. "We have had really good discussions with the Broncos and we are all on the same page. I do believe that Payne will stay at the Broncos," Ahmad Merhi told AAP on Monday.
"At this current stage we are not striking (any deal). We are waiting until the season is over and then we will go into heavy negotiations. Payne is a Bronco. He has always been a Bronco.
"That list goes out every month. Every coach in every club will get that. Every November 1 we update our list to show who is coming off contract in the upcoming years.
"It is a refresher and reminder to clubs that these players are with us and they need to speak to us in relation to any of those players when the time is right. We are not talking to clubs about Payne and we are not having discussions with any of them."
It was also revealed on Monday that a clause in Klese Haas' contract could see the brothers united at the same club in 2027. The 23-year-old Klese signed a three-year contract extension with the Gold Coast Titans last October, but Merhi revealed there's an option for the final year that allows Klese to become a free agent.
"The only thing Payne has ever asked of me is that he would love to play with his brother. That's it," Merhi said. "That could definitely happen. Klese has got a clause in his contract in his favour.
"He has a three-year deal with the Titans but he has got until October to decide whether he wants to be there for three years or just stay until the end of next year. If he takes up that clause, then he is off contract the same time as Payne (at the end of 2026). They would love to play with each other. Any siblings are like that. I look after the May brothers and they are the same. It's a normal thing."
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The Broncos appear the most likely club where the duo would play together, but that scenario might not be straightforward. Brisbane are facing a salary cap crunch, and many believe Payne could attract $2 million per season at one of the NRL expansion franchises.
"The whole purpose of that clause wasn't put in place for Payne and Klese to play together," Merhi said. "It was all about Klese's performance and how much he is getting paid. They want to play together but is it going to happen? The only way it is going to happen is if Klese is getting his correct value. He's not going to take pay cuts to play with his brother."
The brothers will face off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night as the Broncos host the Titans. It will mark the second time they've played against each other in NRL, after Gold Coast's 36-34 win last year.
with AAP
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