Haas keen to weigh into battle of big men

BARNSTORMING Bronco Payne Haas has fired a warning shot to the Cowboys pack – prepare for the Brisbane bash brothers.

North Queensland boast a monster 561kg engine room, with the likes of human wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo and vice-captain Jordan McLean leading through the middle.

Brisbane have lost some muscle in their own engine room with Matt Lodge (knee) and Alex Glenn (hamstring) ruled out with injury, leaving them with 551kg of power in their forwards.

However, Haas wasn’t fazed by the might of the opposing pack – if anything, he is relishing the chance to go head-tohead with them tonight.

The Queensland derby has ignited a fierce rivalry between Tongan teammates Taumalolo and Tevita Pangai Jr.

Now, 119kg Haas will have the 118kg McLean running at him in his opposite number in what shapes to be another bigbodied battle in the middle.

Haas said he was prepared for the challenge of containing him.

“They’re pretty big, but we’re pretty big ourselves so that’s all right,” Haas said.

“(McLean) is another big body. (Their) whole team is massive.

“We just have to get up quick, take some time off them and make them defend a lot.

“I love competition. I love versing the best. Obviously I want to come up against these guys and I’m always up for it.

“It’s going to be a pretty tough game. It’s the opening of their new stadium.”

The Broncos have been working hard on their defence in the middle of the field in preparation for North Queensland’s forward pack attack.

“We have spoken about that and we know the Cowboys would have been watching our trials and looking to expose that,” Haas said.

“We’ve been working on that in the last couple of weeks to tighten up our middle.”

Haas ran more metres (3694m) and busted more tackles (91) last season than any other forward in the competition and he’s planning to continue his domination.