Payne Haas to join South Sydney in shock signing

Star prop Payne Haas will re-unite with Wayne Bennett at the South Sydney Rabbitohs next year after signing a three-year deal with the Sydney club.

The Brisbane forward informed the Broncos on Sunday of his intention to depart the club at the end of 2026 and move south, having agreed to a deal that will see him play for Bennett and the Rabbitohs through to end of 2029.

Haas debuted in the NRL under Bennett in 2018 at the Broncos and has become one of the most damaging props to play the game, playing a key role in Brisbane’s premiership last season.

Haas’ three-year contract with Souths has been lodged with the NRL and is currently under the ten-day cooling off period.

Both South Sydney and Brisbane released short statements on Sunday confirming the shock deal, which caught many in the rugby league world by surprise.

Haas, 26, had previously toyed with the prospect of switching codes, and was targeted by rebel rugby competition R360. But the three-year deal with Souths will keep him in rugby league until he is almost 30, likely scuttling a cross-code defection.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs have lodged a signed contract with the NRL for Payne Haas to join the Club for the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons,” the Rabbitohs said in a statement to their members.

“The contract is now subject to the ten-day cooling-off period. The Rabbitohs will be respecting the cooling-off period rules set by the NRL. The Rabbitohs will make no further comment regarding this until the ten-day cooling-off period has expired.