'Always a nervous wait': Rabbitohs skipper's plea to Payne Haas after 'surprise' contract call
Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray admits it will be a "nervous wait" before Payne Haas is officially locked in for the next three seasons.
Haas left the rugby league world in a state of shock on Sunday afternoon when news broke that he would be leaving the Broncos and moving to South Sydney in 2027.
The game's best forward won a premiership with Brisbane just months ago but has decided to leave the club he has spent his entire NRL career with to link up with the Rabbitohs, who have missed the finals for three-straight seasons.
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While it appears unlikely, Haas could still technically backflip on the move and stick with the Broncos due to the 10-day cooling off period with all NRL contracts.
Murray, who has played with Haas at State of Origin level, is hoping that won't happen.
Cameron Murray speaks about the signing of Payne Haas. Nine/Getty
"There's always a nervous wait … hopefully he doesn't change his mind," the Souths skipper told 9News Sydney at the NRL season launch on Tuesday.
"It came as a bit of a surprise to me. I didn't know right up until the announcement.
"I thought the club and everyone involved did a really good job of keeping it quiet."
Haas has played more than 140 games for the Broncos since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, going on to win a record six player of the year awards at the club.
His debut came under Wayne Bennett, who is now in charge at Redfern - something that Murray believes played a pivotal role in luring the Samoan international.
"He [Bennett] cares about his players and he makes it known and hs players want to reciprocate that care, love and trust," Murray said.
"No doubt the relationship that they've got played a big part in that decision."
Wayne Bennett and Payne Haas embrace before his NRL debut. Nine
The decision from Haas has garnered plenty of reaction, with Roosters captain James Tedesco stunned by the decision from his former NSW Blues teammate.
"It was a bit of a shock," he said.
"Fair play to Souths, well done for getting a major signing like that."
Eels superstar Mitchell Moses had a similar reaction to most when he heard the news.
"I thought it was fake to be honest - it's a massive signing for Souths," he said.
