Payne Haas Unleashed: Broncos Beast Warns NRL Rivals He’s Just Getting Started

Brisbane Broncos enforcer Payne Haas has sent a chilling warning to the rest of the NRL, declaring he is still working towards peak fitness despite his dominant start to the 2025 season. After an injury-interrupted pre-season, the powerhouse prop has already re-established himself as one of the game’s most destructive forwards, leaving opposition defences in disarray with his devastating carries and newfound offloading prowess.

Haas was instrumental in the Broncos’ gritty Queensland derby victory over the Cowboys last week, putting in a mammoth 72-minute shift that saw him rack up 207 running metres from 22 carries. He also registered a try, 11 tackle busts, five offloads, and two line breaks, making him a clear standout performer. His efforts earned him a well-deserved six Dally M Medal votes, placing him just behind Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga in the early-season race for the NRL’s most prestigious individual honour.

Despite his imposing form, Haas insists he has yet to reach his full potential following an off-season ankle surgery that disrupted his conditioning. “I had a pretty disruptive pre-season. I had surgery at the start of the year, and that probably knocked me back a bit with my fitness,” he admitted. “I’m building myself up again.”

His ominous declaration spells trouble for the winless Dolphins, whom the Broncos face at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Although it will be officially considered a Dolphins home game, Brisbane will be determined to exact revenge after last season’s humiliating 40-6 loss in the same fixture.

Adding further firepower to the Broncos’ lineup is the expected return of Kotoni Staggs. The explosive centre was close to playing last week after recovering from a hip flexor injury and is tipped to replace Deine Mariner in the squad. Meanwhile, Gehamat Shibasaki is set to retain his place at left centre.

In another intriguing subplot, Broncos halfback Ben Hunt has revealed that the Dolphins were one of several Queensland clubs that attempted to lure him before his eventual return to Brisbane. Hunt ultimately chose to reunite with his former team, adding valuable experience and leadership to a side that has started the season strongly with a 2-1 record.

With Haas in rampaging form and reinforcements on the way, the Broncos appear primed to assert their dominance in the highly anticipated local showdown.