New South Wales star Payne Haas has opened up about his father’s arrest in the Philippines on alleged drug offences.
The Broncos prop spoke to media including The Sydney Morning Herald in Blues camp on Tuesday.
Both of Haas’ parents are currently in prison.
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His father Gregor faces the death penalty or life in jail after being arrested earlier this month for allegedly attempting to smuggle methamphetamine into Indonesia.
His mother Uiatu Taufua has been in custody since being charged with three counts of manslaughter over a car crash in December 2022. She was also charged with mid-range drink driving and evading police.
It leaves 24-year-old Haas caring for his younger brothers Hans and Geejay.
“Everyone knows what’s happened,” Haas said.
“I’m just trying to look after my siblings and try and look after my family that I’ve got in Australia and try to make sure they’re all right.
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“I know there’s lots of people who have got things worse, and I’ve been through worse things in my life. Obviously when I come and play footy, I enjoy it, it’s my little escape from reality.
“You talk about it straight away and move on from it… I just make sure they’re all right, going to school and being normal, doing what normal kids do. Our family hasn’t had a good run lately.
“As long as I’m being a good role model for them, I know they’ll be all right.
“I grew up in not the best circumstances, but I always use sport, or anything [really], as a little escape from everything. I’m sort of used to it now and I just come into footy, and that’s footy.
“I don’t try and bring my outside personal life into footy when I come to training with all the boys.”