Supremo responds to rumours linking Payne Haas with Sydney Roosters switch

The Sydney Roosters have ruled out a swoop for Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas as there is not enough room in the salary cap to accommodate him.

Haas is said to be unsettled with the Broncos and is keen on a switch to the Roosters. However according to Roosters chairman Nick Politis that will not be happening any time soon. Politis says the kind of money being banded about is too much for his club.

The 22-year-old is under contract with the Broncos until the end of 2024. He is reported to be on a deal worth $600,000 a year but would want much more elsewhere. There has been talk of $1million a year which would be a huge outlay for a prop forward.

Haas a star of the NRL

Even so many pundits believe he would be worth it. Haas has scored six tries in 66 appearances for the Broncos. He has also represented New South Wales on seven occasions in State of Origin. Throw in two Tests for the Kangaroos and Haas is a star of the game at such a young age.

Politis agrees and is no doubt that Haas is arguably the best prop in the NRL. But even if the Roosters wanted him, $1million is too pricey.

“We won’t be signing Payne Haas,” Politis told the Courier Mail. “We are not interested it is as simple as that. Payne is a great player that is not the issue. But if he wants $1million we don’t have that in the salary cap.

“People keep speculating and writing that we want Payne Haas. But just because he is mates with Sonny Bill Williams doesn’t mean he is coming to the Roosters.”

It has been suggested that Haas wants to be with a side pushing for a premiership. In fairness there are signs of improvement at the Broncos this season under Kevin Walters. They gave the Panthers a run for their money in the first half on Friday night. And have some top talent in their ranks.

Sydney Roosters have young talent

But so do the Roosters and that is another reason they will not move for Haas.

“The reality is we can’t fit Haas into our team on $1 million a season. He doesn’t fit in with our salary cap strategy moving forward. We have our own forwards coming through,” Politis added.

“We’ve got Lindsay Collins and we have a couple of other good young props coming through in (Daniel) Suluka-Fifita and Tuku (Hau-Tapuha). We also signed two young props from the Broncos last year, the Va’a brothers (Xavier and De La Salle). Xavier is in our Roosters Academy and he is a real talent.

“There’s no point trying to develop those guys in our Academy, then going to the market and buying over the top of them by chasing Payne Haas.”