Broncos legend Gorden Tallis slams Payne Haas over ongoing contract drama

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has slammed front rower Payne Haas and speculation about his future at the club continues into the finals series.

One of the competition’s elite forwards, the 22-year-old has established himself as a homeland star in recent years and remains arguably Brisbane’s most important player.

Haas remains under contract until the end of 2024 but his name is constantly linked with a move to rival clubs or rugby union as he seeks to establish himself as a $1million player.

This led to Haas being booed by his own home fans earlier this year, leading to the NSW Blues enforcer indefinitely ending contract talks.

Speaking of NRL 360 On Wednesday night, Tallis blasted the prop, claiming Haas didn’t deserve to earn the million-dollar award.

“I overheard it a bit like we heard earlier this year that he was being booed and he didn’t like that feeling,” he said.

“It keeps popping up his head. He could have calmed it down and said no, I’m staying here, but he says no, Europe would be nice.

“He keeps dangling the carrot. I think it’s really bad timing with the Broncos going into a finals series now.

“I don’t think a front rower is worth a million dollars… I think your million dollar player needs to change the score.

“Is he a great player? Yes. Is he the best front rower in the game? Probably yes. But I wouldn’t pay a front rower $1 million because they don’t change the outcome.

“If he doesn’t play [Patrick] Carrigan and [Tom] Flegler and these guys take the gap and they get the job done.”

Brisbane sit sixth in the NRL standings with three rounds to go, with a win likely to secure their place in the final for the first time since 2019.

Haas will no doubt be an integral part of any potential success they could have in September, as his barnstorming carries and rock-solid defense pose a major problem for opposing sides.

But according to Tallis, his playstyle is only made for the 13-man code.

“He said it was his first time hearing about rugby union, that was his comment, so maybe his management is doing it but he can put it to bed,” Tallis said.

“There is no position for him in rugby. He’s not Sonny-Bill Williams… he’s a rugby league player.

“It would be like signing Shane Webcke. He’s a great front rower but he has no position in rugby union.

“There are some great players in our game who don’t have a position in theirs.”