Payne Haas has welcomed the arrival of his former Origin coach Michael Maguire to Red Hill, saying he has brought with him a focus on honesty that will help get the best from the playing group.
Haas said working with Maguire through the successful Blues' 2024 Origin campaign has helped him get accustomed to the way he operates and the standards he would set for the group.
“We are a young group and (the difference Maguire has brought is) just being men about being honest and up front to each other," Haas said.
"That’s what we are taking away this pre-season and all the boys are buying in and having a red-hot crack... all the boys are buying in and it has been a good pre-season so far.
"It has been tough, but all the boys are getting around each other and helping each other improve every day. That’s all that matters.
"I know what Madge brings and what he expects of us players which has made it easier to transition from another coach.
“I’ve gone through about three coaches now, so I am used to it all. It’s been good under Madge so far… everyone is hungry, everyone is pretty driven.“
After recently welcoming home his second child, Haas was doing his best impression of Santa as part of a Broncos Christmas initiative, before telling media he was back fully fit after an injury-ravaged 2024 season.
Playing only 14 games after a long lay-off with a Lisfranc injury and missing the final round of the year with a foot issue which required surgery, Haas has returned to the training paddock fit and firing.
Injuries really tested the depth of the Broncos during their disappointing 2024 season but Haas was heartened to see what emerging forwards like Xavier Willison, who had his own injuries battles, were doing in pre-season.
“It has been good being back at full training with all the boys and getting in the grind, so I have been really liking it," Haas said.
"I am confident (in our forward depth). These boys have been ripping in all pre-season and it has made me real confident these past few weeks seeing the boys excel and really improving their footy.
"I am more confident going into the season.
"X has been one of the best trainers week-in, week-out and is training really hard.
"I am trying to lead by my actions and show them (the other forwards) that if you work hard good things happen on the footy field.
"I am just trying to show that and I know they are trying to do that as well."
At 25, Haas is one of the more experienced players at the Broncos and is looking forward to the arrival of Ben Hunt to add leadership to the squad.
Hunt is set to join the squad in mid-December and is expected to start next season alongside Adam Reynolds, making the Brisbane duo the oldest halves pairing in the competition.
“You look at the names, Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds. To have them both in the team is pretty cool," Haas said.
"They can steer the ship and we just have to worry about our own jobs.
“We still have a long way to go until Round 1, but I can’t wait to have Dozer on the field and training with us and we will work on combinations. I know they will get that right and we just worry about out jobs in the middle.”
NRL.com
