Why Haas departure could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’… as decade-long Madge warning looms large

Several Broncos stars could potentially follow Payne Haas out the door as rumours swirl over whether the star prop’s departure at season’s end is because of coach Michael Maguire.

Watch all three games of Rugby League in Las Vegas live and ad-break free during play is Fox League, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

On more than one occasion Haas has rubbished those suggestions, but it’s a whisper that isn’t going away.

Haas will leave the club for Souths in 2027 on a multi-year deal, with the star prop citing his relationship with Wayne Bennett as a big reason for the decision.

Like it did at stages last season, Maguire’s intense coaching style has come under the microscope even after he guided the Broncos to a premiership in his first year at the helm.

Could the coach’s relentless training methods see other Broncos exit the club as well? It’s reportedly a possibility.

“When this story broke, someone rang me close to that club and said that this is the tip of the iceberg,” journalist Brent Read said on NRL360.

“Now look, players calm down. They calmed down last season because as I said, we all heard the rumblings last season, things calmed down as the season went on.

“I don’t think this (Haas leaving) is one thing, I think it’s a combination of factors.

“Everyone’s pointing the finger at Michael Maguire and it’s hard not to think that its played a part when you hear Payne and his agent talk so positively about Wayne Bennett. That reflects to me on the current coach because they’ve spoken so glowingly about Wayne.

“So yeah, I think there’s a part of this that is Madge, but I don’t think it’s just Madge. I think there’s a cocktail of things that led to him leaving Brisbane … I think money and family both played a part as well.”

Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Journalist Andrew Webster believes Haas’ decision has more to do with Bennett than it does with Maguire and the Broncos.

“For me, it’s nothing more sinister than Wayne Bennett getting his man. I reckon Wayne would have been working on it for months and months,” Webster said.

“I’ve been told by people internally at Souths that he was never happier than when he got Payne Haas on the books.”

Webster then went onto reveal an interesting comment Maguire made to him a decade earlier.

Maguire led Souths to a comp in 2014 but struggled to reach anywhere near the highs of that season and after missing the eight in 2016 and 2017, he was sacked by the club.

Following the grand final success, Webster spoke to Maguire for a column.

“I will say this about Madge. When he won at Souths, he used these words with me in an interview, to climb the mountain again was to double down and go as hard as he did in terms of their training methods. He said some players weren’t prepared to go that far again.”

Despite this reveal, Haas wanting to leave the star-studded Broncos after winning a competition is puzzling for most, especially given Haas is considered one of the hardest-working players in the NRL.

For NRL360 host Braith Anasta, it’s a strange one.

“A lot of people are saying it’s got something to do with Madge,” Anasta said.

“Disregard Wayne, Haas is at a premier club who have just won a comp with a coach who’s only been there for one year and won a premiership in his first year

“He’s got probably one of the best, if not the best, rosters alongside of him that could forge a dynasty over the next two to three years.

“He could have demanded more money in Brisbane. I hear he’s got a good lifestyle up in Brisbane. So although Wayne is a big pulling cart, there was a hell of a lot keeping him in Brisbane.”

“The only people who know why are Payne and the players at their club,” Webster added.