Wayne Bennett has expressed confidence that Payne Haas will significantly strengthen South Sydney’s prospects as the former Brisbane Broncos prop officially joined the Rabbitohs ahead of the 2027 NRL season. Haas, one of South Sydney’s most high-profile recruits in recent history, arrived at the club’s training facilities in Heffron Park on Friday, where he interacted with fans and members of the Souths Players Association.

Haas, who is still recovering from offseason surgery on his left hand that involved the insertion of pins to straighten two fingers, missed Samoa’s rugby league World Cup campaign. During his recovery period, he relocated with his family from Brisbane to Sydney. Bennett, who gave Haas his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2018, will reunite with the prop at South Sydney, where Haas will also join former Broncos teammate David Fifita and star backrower Latrell Mitchell.

Bennett highlighted the strong bond among the three players, indicating that their partnership could drive the Rabbitohs toward their first premiership since 2014. “I know Payne has a great bond with David, and Dave has been great for me this year,” Bennett said. “Payne also respects Latrell a lot, and between the three of them, they are keen to do something special.”

In February 2026, Haas announced his departure from Brisbane after the conclusion of the season, having signed a three-year contract with South Sydney. The 26-year-old prop won six Paul Morgan Medals during his time at the Broncos, and Bennett believes Haas’s workrate and physical presence will be key factors in returning the Rabbitohs to top-four contention.

While some have suggested Haas carried an excessive workload in the Broncos’ front row, Bennett emphasized he will manage the player’s minutes carefully to avoid overexertion. With a strong forward pack that includes Fifita and Souths lock Cam Murray, Bennett is confident Haas will integrate well into the team structure. “I know he can play 80 minutes at a high standard, but I’m not going to kill him. We have a quality squad here, and it’s about fitting him into that,” Bennett explained.

South Sydney’s preseason begins on November 6, and although Haas is expected to join the squad later due to his surgery, he is anticipated to be fit for the start of the 2027 premiership campaign. Bennett recalled Haas’s vital role in Brisbane’s 2025 premiership win, noting the prop’s relentless metre-gaining efforts and physicality. “Just his presence alone will be great for the group... To be honest, I never thought I would get him. I always wanted to get him to Souths,” Bennett said.

With a reputation for professionalism on and off the field and the physicality to match, Haas is poised to become a central figure in the Rabbitohs’ pursuit of future success, generating excitement among the club and its supporters.