Payne Haas Exits Brisbane Broncos for South Sydney After Disastrous 2026 Season

Payne Haas is leaving the Brisbane Broncos for South Sydney after nine seasons, capping a catastrophic 2026 for the reigning premiers. The 26-year-old prop, a six-time Paul Morgan Medal winner, will join the Rabbitohs for three years under coach Wayne Bennett. Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy confirmed the door remains open for Haas to return one day, but the star forward refused to detail his reasons for departing or participate in the club’s internal review.

How the Broncos collapsed from champions to near-last

Brisbane finished 2025 as NRL premiers but now face their worst title defence since Wests in 1953, when the holders finished bottom. With one round remaining, the Broncos can finish no worse than second-last. The Guardian reported that last season’s top four (Broncos, Raiders, Storm, Bulldogs) will all finish outside the finals for the first time since 1992, marking a rare remodelling of NRL hierarchy.

Haas stays silent on his exit and the club review

Haas refused to elaborate on why he signed with South Sydney for three years in February or why he is leaving after nine seasons at Brisbane. When asked about the club’s internal review into the disastrous season, he said: “To be honest I’ve had no input into that.” The 26-year-old will play his 159th and final game for the Broncos on Thursday against Canterbury before linking with Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs.

Donaghy admits failures but backs Maguire to stay

CEO Dave Donaghy fronted media on Monday and acknowledged the club made “significant errors” in handling Adam Reynolds’ retirement send-off last week. The big screen at Suncorp Stadium went out for 44 minutes during Reynolds’ lap of honour, cutting to a Kia sponsor promotion instead. Donaghy called it a “missed opportunity” but insisted coach Michael Maguire will remain in his role and the club can recover.

Haas leaves as Broncos legend, door open to return

Donaghy described Haas as a “wonderful, magnificent servant” who won six Paul Morgan medals and predicted he will one day become an immortal. The CEO declared the door will remain open for Haas to return to Brisbane one day. When asked about a future comeback, Haas replied: “I can’t tell the future, I’m just trying to be present.” Pat Carrigan, Haas’s pack partner, said he was disappointed to see his best mate leave but their relationship would extend beyond the club.

Final Thoughts

Haas’s departure marks the end of an era at Brisbane, with the star prop unwilling to explain his exit or engage with the club’s review. The Broncos face a rebuild after their worst title defence in 73 years, though Donaghy’s door-open stance suggests the relationship remains salvageable.

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