When 24-year-old Payne Haas runs out for NSW in Game I, he’ll already be the Blues second-most capped player behind newly-minted skipper Jake Trbojevic.
And the Broncos $1m-a-year man says it “never crossed my mind” to not play this series, despite his father Gregor facing the death penalty or life in prison for allegedly smuggling drugs into Indonesia.
Gregor was arrested in the Philippines earlier this month, with Indonesian authorities to allege he sent a shipment of methamphetamines to Indonesia hidden in ceramic tiles.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Payne Haas has not spoken to his father since the latter’s arrest.
“Everyone knows what’s happened,” Haas told SMH. “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. Because what I’m going through, they’re probably going through as well.
“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.”
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Payne’s mother Uiatu “Joan” Taufua is also currently facing three counts of manslaughter as well as charges of mid-range drink driving and evading police after a Gold Coast crash in late 2022. She has not yet entered a formal plea.
Haas lives with two younger brothers, both in school, as well as his daughter, and emphasised his priority was taking care of his family in Australia.
“You talk about it straight away and move on from it,” Haas said of discussing his father’s arrest with his brothers. “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.”
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Having been in regular contact with Blues coach Michael Maguire in recent months, Haas says he never considered pulling out of Origin this year despite his father’s arrest.
“I want to be here. This is what you want to do and why you play rugby league growing up. You want to play State of Origin. It never crossed my mind not playing. I’m just privileged and blessed that I get to do that now,” he said.
“You’re representing your family, and not just them, but you’re representing your state.”