'It was extremely quick': Rabbitohs boss lifts the lid on 72-hour rush to sign Payne Haas
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly has lifted the lid on the club's stunning recruitment coup after landing Payne Haas on a three-year deal.
In one of the most shocking contract moves in recent memory, Haas signed with South Sydney earlier this month and will leave the Broncos at the end of 2026.
The game's best forward had only just won a premiership with Brisbane, but wanted a fresh start under the man who gave him his first grade debut, Wayne Bennett.
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The news came out of nowhere, with no rumours or links between Haas and Souths leading up the announcement from both clubs on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Payne Haas. Getty
Speaking to SEN Radio, chief executive Solly revealed that it all happened within 72 hours and it was Haas' management who kick-started the negotiations.
"Nobody knew anything and all of a sudden it just popped up," he said.SEN 1170 Sportsday.
"It was extremely quick. Payne's agent got in touch and said that he was potentially looking for a new challenge and that, as much as he loved Brisbane, he was keen to have Wayne as his head coach again … and was excited by what Souths could offer.
"Within sort of 72 hours, we'd agreed to a deal and we were able to sign him, and even better was to sort of do it without anyone really knowing it an avoiding some of the usual media interest and the speculation that goes with that.
"It was wonderful to get it done so quickly. Payne and Ahmad [Merhi] were great to deal with. In many ways, it's a measure of how the Broncos responded as well.
"Both clubs have got a lot of respect for each other, and we know that Payne and the Broncos have got a job to do this year, but we're very excited about him coming here."
Wayne Bennett and Latrell Mitchell helped lure Payne Haas to the club. Getty
The signature of Haas is right up there for the Rabbitohs with the likes of Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Latrell Mitchell over the years.
Mitchell was one of the key individuals at Souths who was pushing for the signing, having spent time alongside Haas at representative level.
Haas featured in Brisbane's surprise World Club Challenge loss to Hull KR on Friday (AEDT), but showed he is still committed to the club, playing the full 80 minutes.
South Sydney will kick off their 2026 season against the Dolphins on Sunday, March 8.
