Broncos and Origin star held 'secret talks' with Rugby Australia over two years

Rugby league is dealing with revelations that Origin star and Broncos prop Payne Haas has been holding talks with Rugby Australia for over two years about a code switch.

The news comes in the wake of the Suaalii blockbuster deal which will see the Roosters star switch codes in 2025 ahead of the British & Irish Lions series.

Haas is a former junior rugby union No 8 who is currently the Brisbane Broncos highest paid player, but a deal to switch codes back to rugby could net him more than his current deal of roughly $850k a season.

Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan confirmed his interest in the NSW Origin star in an interview with NewsCorp with the prop coming off contract with the Broncos after 2024.

“Payne could definitely be wearing Wallaby gold,” McLennan told The Daily Telegraph.

“We really like Payne. He has a strong rugby pedigree and it’s probably time for him to spread his wings and do something really special.

“The Broncos are great — but playing for the Wallabies against the British Lions would be even better. By playing rugby, Payne can see the world.”

Haas is currently negotiating an extension with the Broncos and reports last month suggested they are prepared to make him the best paid player in the club’s history with over a million per season, topping a deal made for Anthony Milford a few years ago.

But with Rugby Australia expressing interest the Broncos could be in a code war fight to retain one of their best players.

The 23-year-old weighs in at 118kg and is one of the best ball-carrying props in the game.

Should he become available for the Wallabies, Eddie Jones will have a similar No 8 to England’s Billy Vunipola, who was pivotal to England’s early success under Jones.

Former Brisbane Bronco Corey Parker admitted that the club may struggle to retain him if they have to fight off interest from rugby union.

“I don’t know what sort of money he would attract in rugby, but would he get more than he could get in the NRL? Maybe,” he said.

“If he is a $1 million forward in league, Suaalii went to rugby for $1.6 million, so it’s pretty good coin.”