When Blues prop Payne Haas runs out for NSW next Wednesday, he’ll do so in the knowledge that his father will finally be able to watch him play as a free man.
Gregor Haas had recently been released from jail in the Philippines after a court halted his extradition to Indonesia. If convicted of drug charges in Indonesia, Gregor could have faced the death penalty.
Gregor’s future had been in limbo since his arrest in May 2024 in the Philippines for allegedly smuggling more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia in 2023. His incarceration in appalling conditions at a Manila detention centre should have ended when a judge in the Philippines ordered his immediate release in February. However, Gregor was only released less than a fortnight ago and remains in the country while recovering from the physical and psychological toll of his incarceration.
Haas, who returns to the Blues side for game two of the Origin series against Queensland at the MCG after a successful comeback from a knee injury, said it was a relief his father was free and safe.
“I’m just happy that he’s out of jail, to be honest, and out of those kinds of circumstances and living conditions, and obviously getting a bit of freedom at least,” Haas said.
“It’s a little win. Obviously, you want him back home, but it’s a little win …
“For him to get out of what he was in, and the circumstances, is very good for him and our family. He’s in the Philippines now, but it’s better than nothing.”
Haas’ mother, Joan, remains in prison while facing legal proceedings regarding her alleged role in a car crash in the Gold Coast hinterland that resulted in three fatalities.
In his parents’ absence, Haas has been responsible for not only raising his own children, Lalita and Luckee, but also being the legal guardian of his younger brothers Geejay and Hans.
Now that he has been released from prison, Gregor will be able to watch his son make his 18th Origin appearance in Melbourne.
“Yeah, I think so,” Haas said when asked if his parents are proud of what he’s done in their absence.
“They’re pretty proud of that, and obviously, we had to step up. Not just myself, but a lot of my brothers had to as well. We’ve done that, and we’re just trying to make our parents proud.”
Haas is widely considered one of the standout props of his generation, a point underscored by his role in Brisbane’s premiership success last season. However, the South Sydney-bound forward feels he hasn’t yet delivered his best at interstate level.
“No, probably not,” he said. “But obviously, I just want to do my job.
“That’s all that matters: prepare the best I can and try to be the best I can, and whatever happens, happens.”
The Broncos are languishing in 12th spot past the halfway mark of the competition, raising questions about whether they will make the finals. However, Haas believes they can still defend their title.
“Don’t write us off yet,” he said. “We’re working so hard, and obviously, it’s not showing on the weekends, but we are working.
“We are trying to put in our best performance, but obviously, we had glimpses against the Titans, and it’s just not good enough, and we know that. But just stick with us.”
Despite Reece Walsh’s modest club form for Brisbane, Haas felt he could be a danger to the Blues if he is activated from an extended Maroons bench.
“I feel like it will do him a world of good,” Haas said of Walsh’s Queensland selection.
“I’m happy for him. He deserves to be in that arena, and if we see him on the field, we’ll be on high alert.”
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