NRL NRL 2026 General Recruitment Thread
- Thread starter 1995warriorsfan
- Start date
Patrick Herbert in the centres for Tigers trial game this weekend
Noitall
👤
BHU is another that potentially won’t be there past 2026. I think McInnes could be in communication with bears?
Wahs_Ultras
🌶️
I understand them wanting to do similar as the panthers and offer him a reduced contract to try and keep the core playing group together to create a dynasty, but Haas would be the 1 player you don’t want to low ball similar to Cleary
Feel for the kid, he's a very good young gun.
Noitall
👤
Inspired by Muhammad Ali, Broncos prop Haas adds Muslim name as star prepares for new life at Souths A move to South Sydney is not the only recent life-changing decision by the Broncos star, who has channelled sporting icons by taking on a new name to pay homage to his Muslim faith.
Payne Haas has added a Muslim name to his identity as the Broncos superstar prepares for a new chapter — and life — at South Sydney. Following in the footsteps of boxing icon Muhammad Ali and Haas’s mentor Sonny Bill Williams, the champion prop has underscored his devotion to Islam by taking on a Muslim moniker — Hakeem Haas. In the wake of his bombshell decision to join the Rabbitohs from next season on a $3.6 million deal, Code Sports can reveal Haas has embarked on another life-shaping change by making modifications to his name. The South Sydney-bound NSW Origin enforcer has altered his name on his social-media accounts to Hakeem Haas, the latest sign of commitment to a religion that underpinned his feats in inspiring Brisbane’s premiership win last season. Haas turned to Islamic faith in 2019, at age 19, and NRL and All Blacks legend Sonny Bill, a devout Muslim, has been a trusted mentor for rugby league’s No.1 prop.
More than 60 years ago, boxing sensation Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali in March 1964, aged 22, after defeating Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion of the world. In 1971, LA Lakers basketball legend Lewis Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after converting to Islam at age 24, while closer to home, Haas’ friend Sonny Bill Williams adopted the name Hamza after he devoted himself to Islam in 2009. Now Haas, who arrived in London on Wednesday (AEDT) to prepare for Brisbane’s World Club Challenge clash against Hull KR, is the latest sporting star to establish a new identity in line with his beliefs. It is understood the 26-year-old has not legally changed his name, Payne Luckee Haas, but is acknowledged as Hakeem when he partakes in Islamic events and mixes with members of the Muslim community. The development comes as Haas prepares for his annual sacrifice with Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting, due to begin this Tuesday, just days before he takes on Hull KR in the World Cup Challenge. One of Australia’s leading boxing trainers, Fidel Tukel, has presided over sparring sessions with Haas in recent years. Himself a Muslim, Tukel, who formerly trained Australian Olympic boxer Paulo Aokuso, explained the Broncos forward’s decision to be known as Hakeem Haas in Islamic circles. “It’s more about connecting to the religion spiritually,” Tukel said. “I’m all for it. “I don’t think there is a better Islamic ambassador right now in Australian sport than Payne Haas. “We once had Sonny Bill Williams and Payne can be in the same shadows as Muhammad Ali. “In our faith, we believe everyone is born Muslim, so that’s why it is called reverting and not converting.
“Revert means going back to where you started. “Payne wasn’t born a Muslim, so by reversion, you have to take on a Muslim name, which is why he is calling himself Hakeem Haas. “In the case of Muhammad Ali, he wanted to be identified as a Muslim, not having what he saw as a slave’s name (Cassius Clay). “I don’t think Payne sees himself as having a slave name, but he clearly wants to identify more with the religion of Islam and with his spiritualism now. “In my interactions with Payne, he is a very humble guy. He is not doing it to show off and for any media attention. He is quite a shy guy. He is doing it for the right reasons. “When I heard about his name, Hakeem Haas, it was pretty empowering. “I like the fact he’s done it because I’ve had chats with Payne and I know he is a stern Muslim.” Haas’ choice of Islamic name, and its core meaning, is equally fascinating. Described as a “masculine name of Arabic origin”, Hakeem signifies intelligence, knowledge, and authority. It is one of the names of God in Islam, signifying “The Judge of Judges”. “If you look at the history of the name, Hakeem is a name given to a governor or a nobleman or scholar, a leader of the community,” Tukel explains. “It’s someone of esteem, someone who runs the show and I think it’s a fitting name for Payne. “When Payne Haas walks into a change room, he commands attention and maybe that’s why he has chosen that name. “I think Hakeem suits him and what he stands for. “Payne doesn’t talk much but I can’t remember a player in the history of the sport that has led by example so quietly.
“He leads a team without saying a word. He leads with his actions. People talk about Sam Burgess or Paul Gallen, they are not in the same league as Payne Haas. He is worth two front-rowers. “I can’t remember any forward that can do what he does. “I would presume Payne would be called Hakeem when he is mixing with the Muslim community and his people.” There have been a slew of conspiracy theories surrounding Haas’ decision to quit the Broncos at season’s end. There are claims he has fallen out with coach Michael Maguire. That he was low-balled in contract talks with the Broncos. That he refused to take part in a pre-season army camp in Toowoomba, allegedly walking out in protest when military figures entered to begin training. But there is another critical factor: Haas’ devotion to his faith. Two years ago, he swore off alcohol to abide by Islamic principles, a decision that inspired the best form of his career last year as he spearheaded Brisbane’s premiership charge. Haas’ Sydney-based manager, Ahmad Merhi, is a devoted Muslim and recalls the key planks in the reformation of Brisbane’s one-time bad boy. It included giving up alcohol, his Muslim faith and the birth of his first child, daughter Lalita, in 2021. “Discipline comes with his religion,” Merhi told this masthead in grand-final week last October. “Islam gives you that discipline. It’s a system of life. It gives you an order, it gives you a time frame to wake up in the morning. If you follow the system, you can stay clean, focused and disciplined. “Payne now has that discipline and order in his life.
“Payne feels the greatest legacy he can leave behind is the man he is for his daughter. “I deal with a lot of footballers and Payne has gone through an incredible journey of dedication. He is in bed by 9.30pm every night and he is an early starter. “Drinking is prohibited for Muslims, so Payne hasn’t drunk in a long time. He has his off-field issues, but his faith has given him strength and it’s a beautiful synergy to see Payne and his daughter and the family man that he is. “His daughter’s presence in his life has grounded him. She has taught him humility. She inspires him and it keeps pushing him to the limits on and off the field. “Everything he does is with the girls. Every time I call him he is with Lani, his partner, and Lalita. He’ll have a few hours with the boys on the golf course, then it’s straight back to his family and his devotion to faith and football. “The Broncos have been wonderful for Payne and he has been wonderful for them. It’s been a great partnership. “Payne knows records are broken in sport, but the love and bond between a father and his daughter is something that lasts a lifetime.” Haas, whose move to Sydney next year will bring him closer to Sonny Bill, said the former Roosters star helped save his NRL career after he was nearly sacked by the Broncos in 2021 following an alcohol-fuelled argument with police officers. “Sonny Bill has helped me a lot,” he said in 2024.
“He doesn’t bother me when I’m going well, but he will message me when I’m going through some tougher times and that’s what your good mate or brother does. “He is not there to pat my back all the time, he is there to guide me and help me. “If I need a kick in the ass sometimes, he is there for me. Sonny has been a blessing.” Tukel believes Haas’ decision to sign with South Sydney, aside from reuniting with super coach Wayne Bennett, would have been partly motivated by religion. “There is a much stronger Muslim presence in Sydney than in Brisbane,” he said. “There’s a lot more understanding because there’s a greater Muslim population in Sydney. “Maybe Payne wants to be around the Muslim community. I’m not sure, but if he has changed his name to Hakeem Haas, then he will have that influence around him in Sydney to a greater degree than he would experience in Brisbane. “Becoming a Muslim did wonders for Sonny Bill Williams and I believe it can do the same for Payne
Samuela Fainu. Best of the Fainu brother's in my opinion. Tall, Fast, Powerful, Good ball skills. When he fills out that lanky frame of his, He has similar attributes to Olakau'atu.
Noitall
👤
Totally agree, Olakau’atu is exactly who he reminds me of. Been impressed with Latu Fainu at times too, he came on against us at lock and played really well I thought last year
Didn't we dodge a bullet. I wanted him because I was desperate for some impact, so glad we didn't sign him.
Newscorp
Brisbane to block Gold Coast attempts to prise Jesse Arthur’s away from the final year of his contract.
Brisbane to block Gold Coast attempts to prise Jesse Arthur’s away from the final year of his contract.
mrblonde
🎲
I assume we're ruling out the move is due to Haas' wife suddenly:
A) Getting into the cookie business.
and
B) Selling cookies on credit and not getting payment (IIRC, that's what really put Mrs Fonua-Blake off Nu Zild).
It wouldn't surprise me if Walsh's antics do get seriously up some of his team-mate's noses, great fullback or no.
