Brisbane substitute captain Kurt Capewell has said that this week there was more talk about the catching fish than Payne Haas’ failed attempt to leave the NRL club.
Key points:
- Broncos interim captain Kurt Capewell has lowered Payne Haas saga
- Haas was heavily booed by the Broncos crowd in their victory over the Titans on Friday
- The star dropped the club when he requested an immediate release on Thursday
Capewell smiled through questions about the star’s mid-week request for an immediate release from his contract, which will run until 2024, and the offer was quickly turned down by the Broncos.
“We talked more about the 76cm snapper I caught during the week than Payne Haas,” Capewell said.
“We knew it was happening. Payno texted us and said, ‘Guys, I’m totally committed to you, let’s go out and get the job done.'”
When asked how Haas could engage with a club he is ready to leave, Capewell noted his performance in a game where Brisbane overcame the 18-0 and 24-4 disadvantages to accumulate more misery for the Titans.
“Have you seen his efforts tonight? Tell me if he’s engaged,” he said.
“We love our fans, they are passionate.
“We are in a game where you have to be passionate about your club, but see the business side of it.
“It’s a good balance: things like this come out all the time. I don’t see why it’s so much fuss.”
The backrower insisted that Haas, who has rejected a deal that is believed to be worth about $ 900,000 a season in hopes of more in Red Hill or elsewhere, had the support of his teammates.
That despite the huge crowd in Brisbane, with a streak of wins that stretched to six with Friday’s comeback over the Gold Coast, booed the 22-year-old every time he touched the ball.
“It’s been tough,” Haas told Channel Nine. “I’m not one of those people who makes me cringe, but when I heard the boos, it made me a little nervous. I had to calm down, stay in the game and do my job for the team.” .
Coach Kevin Walters admitted he wasn’t sure why the three times better and fairer he wanted to leave.
“I was a little, not so much disappointed, but more,‘ Oh, okay, ’” he said.
“I’m sure we can … fix something. Obviously we won’t let him go.
Coach Kevin Walters is confident Payne Haas will remain a Bronco. (Images by Getty: Mark Kolbe)
“I don’t think it will last, but I will stay in my lane and continue to train Payne Haas.
“It’s the best accessory in the game and we don’t want to lose the best accessory in the game.
“It simply came to our notice then [why he is seeking a release]but he has shown his commitment tonight and, even if he wears a Broncos shirt, he will continue to do so. “
AAP