As Broncos superstar Reece Walsh cast aside suggestions Payne Haas’ imminent defection would derail Brisbane’s premiership hopes, three men within the club’s ranks have announced their intention to fill the marquee enforcer’s void.
Haas triggered shockwaves throughout the NRL when he announced he would not be extending his time at Red Hill beyond 2026; instead inking a three-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
It has left the Broncos on the hunt for a new enforcer beyond this season, with internal options Xavier Willison, Ben Te Kura and Aublix Tawha vying to prove they were the men to spearhead the future – a mission which will begin on Friday night against the Penrith Panthers.
While concerns have been voiced outside the Broncos’ four walls that Haas’ exit could trigger a Brisbane freefall, Walsh scoffed at claims of a rift between Haas coach Michael Maguire.
“I know Payno as a person, I know him as a father, and I knew Payne before he was here at the Broncs from school. I know his reasons for why he does things, and his family is a big part of it,” Walsh said.
“I think the derailing part, that’s a bit silly because if it was your last time with someone would that derail you or make you push harder to want to do better? That’s the mindset I have here, it’s our last opportunity to have together as a group, and we want to make it count.”
While Maguire confirmed on Friday he had met with Warriors prop Mitch Barnett, who will leave New Zealand on compassionate grounds after the 2026 season to be closer to family in Taree, there is faith the Broncos’ have the depth to keep their premiership window open.
Despite playing most of 2025 off the bench, Willison produced career-best statistics – averaging 111 running metres and 23 tackles a game to become a key momentum shifter for coach Michael Maguire.
However, it was an outing against the Bulldogs last year when the 23-year-old revealed he was more than talk – running for 203 running metres to go with 43 tackles during a 68-minute stint.
“I look back at that game, and it helps me bring confidence that no matter what stage I’m out there in and for longer minutes I can do it,” Willison said.
“He [Haas] has helped me be more confident in my ability. Coming in I was a bit stressed being from a union background, but he always told me to back myself.
Who’s in line to fill the shoes to be left vacant by Payne Haas?Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
“If I just keep doing my role, hopefully I’ll get a couple of starting games this year and move towards that starting spot.”
Willison will be joined in the Broncos’ bench rotation against the Panthers by Tawha – the 26-year-old who didn’t make his NRL debut until last year for the Dolphins.
Tawha wakes up to photos of his time scaffolding in New Zealand and playing local league to serve as a “spark”. While playing for Yass Magpies, he was brought to the Redcliffe Dolphins by former Broncos star Ben Te’o, who is now an assistant at Brisbane.
“Benny was hard on me, but that’s what I needed and how I like to be coached. I thought he didn’t like me, but all the boys were telling me ‘he sees something in you, he doesn’t do that to anyone else’,” Tawha said.
“He was big on fixing my professionalism off the field, and always told me you need to get everything right off the field to perform on the field.”
Tawha revealed he had taken inspiration from Te’o’s aggressive brand in his own playing days, but his hope to replace Haas will be shared by Te Kura.
Tawha gushed at the 21-year-old’s potential, having watched his knack for getting his towering frame low enough to drive through defenders close to the try line.
Ben Te Kura scores for the Broncos.Credit: Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
“He’s too big, you can’t look at anyone else – you have to get him early. That’s a lot of firepower,” he said of the 205-centimetre weapon, who has been limited to five NRL games through several injury setbacks.
But Tawha revealed how quickly Haas had fuelled his own pursuit ambition, admitting his off field diligence – particularly his diet and recovery – was not up to standard at the Dolphins.
“We’ve gotten pretty close there and spend a lot of time outside of footy together. He’s had a tough upbringing, so it’s cool to get to know how he’s gone about all that and translated it onto the field,” Tawha said, who has put on eight kilograms since working with Haas.
Aublix Tawha in action at Broncos training.
“The main thing for him is his professionalism, and even if stuff’s happening outside of footy, he can come in and just flick that switch. I try to take that into what I do.”
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