Brisbane have slammed an “ashamed” Payne Haas for his latest off-field indiscretion after the NRL forward was arrested and charged with abusing and intimidating police.
The NSW Origin and Australian representative was arrested about 10pm on Saturday when he allegedly abused police officers in Tweed Heads.
The 21-year-old was detained by police and taken to Tweed Heads police station where he was charged with “with offensive language and intimidate police officer”.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Tweed Heads local court on 2 February, with the matter now being investigated by the NRL’s integrity unit.
The incident came after the Brisbane squad started their day with a training session on the Gold Coast.
While a rising star of the game, it won’t be the first time Haas has been summoned by the NRL’s behavioural watchdog.
Haas was fined $20,000 and suspended for the opening four rounds of the 2019 NRL season for failing to comply with an NRL integrity unit investigation over a matter involving members of his family.
Broncos CEO Paul White said in a statement on Sunday that Haas was “ashamed and extremely remorseful”.
“It’s disappointing and not acceptable – we do set the highest standards for the behaviour of our players, they understand that and Payne knows this is well short of those standards,” White said.
“Payne knows he has done the wrong thing and is prepared to take ownership of his actions.
“As a club, we will continue to work with Payne to ensure he understands what he must do to improve, and also ensure he continues to receive the support and education that he needs.”
The two-Test forward is one of rugby league’s most talented big men and has been named the Broncos’ best player the past two seasons.
A shining light of an otherwise historically bad 2020 season, Haas last week expressed his desire to help rejuvenate the side.
“The trust that Kev’s put in us; we know what talent we’ve got here and it’s a good chance for us to redeem ourselves and return to winning ways,” he said.
“You can see how the boys are training; it’s pretty competitive.
“The motivation here is to bring the club back to what it was and we have just left what happened last year right there and dusted.”
LeftRight
Guest
Hard to understand what a NRL player needs to do to get fired from the code. Reading Haas's remarks to NSW police officers (including threatening to assult a female officer), surely not even the NRL would want his type in the code. Still, the usual "apology" & slap on the wrist fine will get him off the hook, because you know "he's young and a fine young man too!"
steveng
Roar Rookie
The usual Haas excuses, this boofhead needs a year off without pay to wake him up!
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Go easy on him. You dont have to have half a brain to play Rugby League
Nat
Roar Rookie
Passing comment on someone who knows 100% more than you does very little for yours.
Are you sure it was "Not dobbing" on family members? Anyway 20k fine and 4 weeks suspension says he did something wrong....
Yep certainly hyperbole! Must admit tho I dont like seeing dogs kicked and dont know how you can blame the club....
Tony
Roar Guru
John, social media at the time was all about the end of Rugby Union.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
What was the main Rugby League news that year if there were no misdemeanours recorded? Perhaps players were better behaved or just fortunate nobody had a mobile phone to capture the incriminating evidence!
Nat
Roar Rookie
Morning John. Well, to be fair, we need to distinguish between and 'incident' and a media beat up. NAS going beserk in Bali was an incident. Fifita goes into the wrong room of a house he was invited into and they call the police (likely because he has the silhouette of Sully from Monsters Inc). That makes front page news even though he was immediately released with no charge Would Bennett have more influence on behaviour? Not sure, there have been many players do the wrong thing on Bennett's watch and either disciplined or been sent packing. Even in this situation, Haas is obviously reacting to something. The Police weren't called because of him but this side of the story is all that is reported.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Never see them getting in trouble on the northern side. Haas was in the Tweed – it counts… :silly:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
English literacy would be helpful Nat.
Tony
Roar Guru
The year was 1907 John
souvalis
Roar Rookie
The dirty rat.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good morning Nat. I’m trying to recall the last off season where there were no player off field indiscretions reported. I’m still thinking. Do you feel that had Bennett not left the club, the Broncos players had a level of respect for him, perhaps some of their behavioural issues may not have occurred? Secondly, every time I read of “off field player mischief” regardless of club, I recall David Gallop when he was CEO saying “Every time my phone rings after hours, I’m always apprehensive it’s going to be bad news”. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Tony
Roar Guru
Clearly, we need to return to a position where you can only live and play in your state of origin. Oops! Now where will we get our players from?
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes, I've heard that rumour as well :stoked:
Nat
Roar Rookie
Geez Mick, you were leaning heavily toward hyperbole the whole way but to land on a comparison to Packer? Let's hope your next J-walking ticket get tried as redrum.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Hyperbole alert!! Sack him, fine the club and kick his dog...
Nat
Roar Rookie
Bloody NSWelshmen.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Carrigan will get done for tax avoidance.