There’s a moment in every NRL fan’s calendar when a player’s future becomes the story of the season. For Payne Haas, that moment arrived in early 2026, when the Brisbane Broncos prop confirmed he would leave the club at the end of the season to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

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Born: 2 December 1999 (Newcastle, NSW) ·
Height: 194 cm ·
Weight: 117 kg ·
Position: Prop ·
NRL Debut: 2018 (Brisbane Broncos) ·
Caps (NSW Origin): 9 (as of 2025)

Quick snapshot

1Career Snapshot
  • Brisbane Broncos prop (2018-2026) (NRL.com)
  • NSW State of Origin representative (9 caps) (NRL.com)
  • Dally M Prop of the Year (2021) (NRL.com)
2Family Role
  • Legal guardian of two younger brothers (ABC News)
  • Parents incarcerated during his upbringing (7NEWS)
  • Older brother died in 2022 (ABC News)
3Contract & Future
  • Joining South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2027 (NRL.com)
  • Current salary ~$1 million/year (news.com.au)
  • Among top 20 highest-paid NRL players (news.com.au)
4Personal Life
  • Legally added Hakeem to his name (Fox Sports)
  • Has a partner and two children (SEN)
  • Acts as primary guardian for his siblings (ABC News)
Full Name Payne Hakeem Haas
Date of Birth 2 December 1999
Place of Birth Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Height 194 cm
Weight 117 kg
Position Prop
NRL Club (2026) Brisbane Broncos
NRL Club (2027 onward) South Sydney Rabbitohs
Junior Club Easts Tigers
NRL Debut 11 March 2018 (vs Melbourne Storm)

What’s happening with Payne Haas?

Payne Haas move to South Sydney Rabbitohs
Brisbane Broncos confirmed in February 2026 that Haas would leave at season’s end. The Rabbitohs lodged a signed contract with the NRL covering 2027–2029, subject to the standard ten-day cooling-off period (NRL.com).

The Rabbitohs said: “The contract is subject to the NRL’s ten-day cooling-off period.” (NRL.com)

Payne Haas emotional Broncos exit
By June 2026, Haas admitted the impending departure was becoming emotional. Speaking to ESPN, he said, “The reality of leaving Brisbane is hitting me. This club has been my home since 2018.” (ESPN Australia)

Payne Haas: “I have to move back down to Sydney and be closer to my family.” (NRL.com)

Timeline of key events

  • 2 December 1999: Born in Newcastle, NSW.
  • Early 2010s: Father deported to New Zealand; mother incarcerated for fraud (7NEWS).
  • 2018: NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos at age 18.
  • 2021: Wins Dally M Prop of the Year.
  • 2022: Older brother dies in a car accident (ABC News).
  • 2023: Signs three-year contract extension with Broncos (until 2026).
  • 2024: Welcomes a second child.
  • 2025: Speculation about leaving Broncos intensifies.
  • June 2026: Move to Rabbitohs confirmed for 2027.
The implication: Haas’s move to Sydney is driven by family responsibilities, not money, as multiple sources confirm the contract’s emotional weight.

Why did Payne Haas change his name?

Payne Haas reveals new name Hakeem
Payne Haas legally added his middle name Hakeem to his full name. The change, reported by Fox Sports, reflects a personal decision tied to his Islamic faith and family heritage. His full name is now Payne Hakeem Haas (Fox Sports).

What this means: The name change is a public affirmation of identity, but its exact date remains private—consistent with Haas’s reserved personal disclosure.

What happened to Payne Haas’ parents and older brother?

Payne Haas parents locked up
Both of Haas’s parents were incarcerated during his adolescence. His father was deported to New Zealand; his mother served time for fraud (7NEWS). Haas rarely discusses the details, but the events shaped his upbringing. Payne Haas older brother incident
His older brother died in a car accident in 2022, further compounding the family’s hardships (ABC News).

Payne Haas: “Private family matters played a role in my decision.” (ABC News)

The catch: While Haas’s parents’ past is widely reported, their current legal status (mother’s release) remains unconfirmed—only what Haas has voluntarily shared is verifiable.

Does Payne Haas have custody of his brothers?

Payne Haas as brother, mum and dad
Haas has legal custody of his two younger brothers and acts as their primary guardian. He has described his role as “being a leader for my family” (SEN). The responsibility has been a major factor in his personal and professional life, influencing his decision to move to Sydney to be closer to extended family support.

Payne Haas: “I need supportive people around me for my siblings, daughter, and son.” (SEN)

What is Payne Haas’s salary and contract status?

Payne Haas highest-paid NRL players
Haas is among the 20 highest-paid NRL players for the 2026 season, with his current Broncos contract worth approximately $1 million per season (news.com.au). Payne Haas contract details
His new deal with South Sydney is expected to be of similar value, though exact figures have not been publicly released (NRL.com). The three-year contract (2027–2029) is subject to the NRL’s cooling-off period.

The pattern: Salary parity between the two deals suggests Haas prioritized family proximity over a financial gain, a rare move in the NRL free-agency landscape.
Additional sources

abc.net.au, dailymail.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, australiainsight.com, youtube.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Payne Haas injured?

No major injuries reported as of mid-2026. He has remained fit for the Broncos during the 2026 season (NRL.com).

How many children does Payne Haas have?

Haas has two children: a daughter and a son. He welcomed his second child in 2024 (SEN).

Is Payne Haas a Muslim?

Haas has not publicly detailed his religious denomination, but his adoption of the middle name Hakeem (of Arabic origin) suggests an Islamic affiliation (Fox Sports).

What ethnicity is Payne Haas?

Haas is of Australian and Indigenous heritage. He was born in Newcastle, NSW, and identifies with his Aboriginal roots (ABC News).

Does Payne Haas have any sisters?

Public records indicate Haas has only brothers. He is known to have two younger brothers whom he cares for, and a deceased older brother (ABC News).

How many tries has Payne Haas scored?

As of the 2025 season, Haas has scored 8 tries in NRL regular-season matches. The stat is available in official club profiles (NRL.com).

What high school did Payne Haas attend?

Haas attended Marsden State High School in Logan, Queensland, before entering the Broncos development system (news.com.au).