Payne Haas

Haas messaged team-mates after Brisbane officials rejected his request for an immediate release to assure them he was fully committed for the clash with the Titans, but fans weren't so forgiving and booed him every time he touched the ball.

The NSW Origin forward admitted after the 35-24 win that he had been rattled by the reception he received and Broncos captain Adam Reynolds later appeared to be consoling him in the dressing rooms.

Haas is signed to the Broncos until the end of 2024 on a deal understood to be worth $800,000 a season.

However, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday that Haas sensationally asked for an immediate release on Wednesday night.

Manly coach Des Hasler has reshuffled his backline with Reuben Garrick now the man to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic.

The race to the Broncos starting hooker spot is on after Cory Paix was named on the bench following Billy Walters’ promotion to five-eighth.

Meanwhile, the Eels’ decision to replace Bryce Cartwright who starred against the Dragons with Mitch Rein is under the microscope.

THURSDAY APRIL 7

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.50pm

Foxsports.com.au has obtained the footage which shows Haas’ left fist making contact with Kelly. The New South Wales Origin forward can also be heard calling Kelly a “f***ing c***.”

Kelly was also heard saying: “Why would I step on your shoes?”

Cowboys enforcer Jason Taumalolo and Titans wrecking ball David Fifita are the only forwards in the NRL on $1 million a season.

Haas has played 64 NRL games since debuting with the Broncos in 2018 and made seven appearances for the Blues and two for Australia.

The 22-year-old is in line to earn $798,000 in 2023 and $848,000 in 2024, but his management wants those figures “bumped up”, according to reporter Danny Weidler.

Rugby League Phil Gould supremo argued against Haas being worth $1 million dollars.

Now there is conjecture about what he’s worth, his arrangement with his manager, Chris Orr, and his long-term future at the Broncos.

Haas has been a shining light for the Broncos during Anthony Seibold’s disastrous tenure and the first year of Kevin Walters’ rule at Red Hill.

He leads the Broncos in just about every single statistic you would want from a prop forward and receives praise accordingly.

The Blues and Kangaroos representative is locked away until the end of 2024 with Brisbane hopeful of taking him off the market from any prying clubs.

“We will remain in the conversation with Payne and his agent about how we make sure he stays at the Broncos for life,” Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin said last month.