Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva has fired a warning shot over the Penrith Panthers – and the rest of the NRL – declaring that as formidable as Payne Haas has been, he is yet to peak.
Haas has assumed Civoniceva’s old mantle as Brisbane’s heavyweight leader, lauded as arguably the game’s best and most daunting forward.
The 117-kilogram wrecking ball will enter Sunday’s grand final as the man to once again set the tone for his side, on the back of a campaign in which he has still managed to transform his game.
Haas’ 189 running metres and 28 tackles per game this season have, miraculously, been expected. So too has his reluctance to make a mistake – missing just 10 tackles and committing only two errors in 22 appearances.
But according to Civoniceva, the 23-year-old’s ability to revolutionise his second-phase play shows his development is far from over.
Haas’ 47 offloads in 2023 are more than double his tally last year, ranking him fourth in the competition.
And Civoniceva sees further growth for the Broncos’ phenomenon.
“The scary thing for me is, he’s still so young, and I just think he’s got so much more to achieve,” Civoniceva said.
“It’s been wonderful to see his second-phase play and his ability to pass across the ruck, and being able to get guys to an edge.
“Now we’re seeing that second phase play he’s got more to give there, I think there’s a real opportunity to not only be fantastic in the go forward but also link with his fellow forwards, adding a bit of variation around the ruck.”
Haas has quickly entered the conversation to make a case as the Broncos’ best prop of all time.
The man who has idolised the great Glenn Lazarus has often been considered a player who could one day match the five-time premiership hero.
But Civoniceva said it was far too early to draw comparisons.
“To be honest, it’s hard to stack him up against anyone else because it’s so early, and that’s the scary thing,” he said.
“He’s achieved so much at a young age, but I just feel like you reach that peak in your game in your mid to late 20s, and into your early 30s even.
“The fact he’s doing this now is phenomenal, I’m really excited to see the potential that he’s going to realise.”
Time has done nothing to quell Civoniceva’s nerves as his beloved Broncos plot to end their 17-year premiership drought.
The 47-year-old was an integral part of three victorious Brisbane engine rooms, including the most recent, in 2006.
Back then, he and Shane Webcke led from the front, taking the challenge of meeting their rival pack personally.
Civoniceva saw the same characteristics in the present-day Broncos when they shocked the Storm 26-0 in week one of the finals.
Now faced with Penrith duo James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, he said that same intensity would need to increase again.
“It’s about taking your mind and body to another place in terms of having to go through whatever pain there is,” Civoniceva said.
“I think it’s starting with absolute intensity, and that was the most impressive thing for me in that Melbourne game – their line speed, physicality ... and obviously maintaining that rage.
“If successful in that, and overcoming your opposition front row or forward pack, you’re a long way towards winning.
“That was our mindset, winning that battle in the trenches.”
Sydney Morning Herald
