Broncos star Payne Haas has put talks with rebel rugby union competition R360 on hold to clarify his obligations to the NRL amid reports of a $10 million code switch.
The Daily Telegraph reported Haas and his management postponed a zoom call meeting with R360 officials, while seeking clarity of their obligations to the NRL.
Haas and his manager Ahmad Merhi were scheduled to meet with R360 officials on Wednesday afternoon but opted to delay talks.
The Broncos premiership winner is off-contract in 2026 and is not allowed to negotiate with rival NRL clubs for 2027 and beyond until the November 1 deadline just over three weeks away.
Haas’ management is seeking clarification if that rule applies to talks with rival codes, including R360, which is set to kick-off in October of next year, just before the NRL Grand Final.
Their approach to the NRL comes as the game’s governing body are set to meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss sanctions for players and agents who get involved in the rebel league.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys has been a vocal critic of the R360 competition, saying, it is a creation from a cornflakes box, with no business plan.
Haas won’t play for another NRL club, but the money on offer, which could be as much as $10 million for two years, means he has to engage R360 for talks in his client’s best interests.
Haas is reportedly set to be offered as much as US$2 million a season, which is the equivalent of $3 million in Australia and could include tax incentives, which help him earn as much as $10 million for a two-year stint in R360.
The Origin star is reportedly eyeing a two-year deal to cash in on the money on offer, before a potential return to the NRL and the Broncos.
Haas is settled in Brisbane and has several dependent siblings to look after with both his parents in jail, so he is weighing up staying close to home with the chance to make life changing money for him and his family.
