YOUNG BLUE
Blues’ teenage Origin bolter Haas primed to inflict ...
Keebra Park State High product Payne Haas set to become youngest State of Origin player in history
BLUES bolter Payne Haas has completed a stunning career revival by overcoming a clubimposed suspension to become the youngest Origin player in Broncos history.
Brisbane bookend Haas, a product of Keebra Park State High, was last night handed his maiden NSW jumper after just 10 NRL games and will be just 19 years and 185 days old when he runs out for the Blues in Origin I at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
For all of Brisbane’s multitude of Origin legends, no Broncos forward has worn a NSW or Queensland jumper at such a young age. Not Shane Webcke. Not Petero Civoniceva, Andrew Gee, Glenn Lazarus or even former Maroons skipper Gorden Tallis.
It is stunning recognition of Haas’ talent – and the ultimate redemption story after the hulking prop missed the opening month of the season after being banned by the Broncos for failing to fully comply with an NRL integrity unit probe.
But the dark days are over for Haas, who will be blooded off the Blues’ interchange bench after producing six consecutive barnstorming appearances for the Broncos.
Haas (pictured) has charged for a staggering 1219m this year at an average of 174m per game and sealed his NSW debut with a 204m demolition job that inspired Brisbane’s 8-2 defeat of the Warriors on Saturday.
While he is a baby in age, he is a giant in the flesh. At 194cm and 118kg, Haas is already Brisbane’s biggest player, giving NSW hierarchy no concerns the towering bookend can withstand a Maroons barrage.
“Payne is a unique player,” NSW adviser Greg Alexander said. “At 19, he just looks so comfortable in the top grade, he is so dynamic around the ruck. He has great speed and a big motor and he has only just graduated from playing under-18s for NSW.
“It’s quite a remarkable rise but he couldn’t be denied with the form he has shown.”
Just two forwards in Origin’s 39-year history have made their NSW debuts at a younger age than Haas.
Norths’ Lindsay Johnston played for the Blues at 19 years and 107 days in 1983, while Canberra sensation Bradley Clyde was blooded in 1989 at 19 years and 116 days.
Haas’ Broncos teammate, 18-game Queensland veteran Matt Gillett, knows an Origin player when he sees one and is adamant he is up to the task.
“Payne is an athletic freak,” Gillett said. “He’s only young but he has the talent and the attitude to succeed in Origin.
“Even the other night (against the Warriors in Auckland), we were all blowing out there on our knees and he was barely puffing. He is amazing. He wouldn’t let NSW down.”
Haas once represented Queensland Schoolboys but said last month he is a true
Blue.
“I’ve always been a Blue,” he said. “I watched them as a kid. I remember going through the tough years watching Queensland win every series.
“Last year the Blues fought back and I thought: ‘How good, I’d love to help us win more Origin series.’ ” Now he gets his chance.