‘No doubt’ – Lee Briers reveals Brisbane Broncos star who is best he’s ever coached

Former Brisbane Broncos assistant Lee Briers has lauded praise on Origin star Payne Haas as the best he’s ever coached in a revealing interview.

Briers, who has now joined Paul Wellens’ coaching staff at St Helens, joined the Broncos ahead of the 2023 season following time with Wigan Warriors.

Despite finishing 12th in the ladder, Brisbanew Broncos have a number of excellent players in their ranks.

One of those players is Reece Walsh, a Queensland star at just 22.

Briers said on him, via Sky Sports’ The Bench: “Absolute freak. He sees the game so quick, probably too quick for his own liking.

“There is some stuff he does that you just can’t coach. I don’t even try and coach him to do that, to do whatever, because his footwork, his speed is just unbelievable. He’s still young and still got a lot of improvement in him. It’s scary.”

‘No doubt’ – Lee Briers reveals Brisbane Broncos star who is best he’s ever coached

Briers also praised Payne Haas, who has featured as an NSW prop in State of Origin since 2019.

He said: “With Payne, it’s quite simple. Before I went in, I had a couple of targets that I could get my teeth into and they would make a massive difference and I think that everybody else will follow. Payne was one of those.

“He is just unbelievable. He is by far the best (I’ve ever coached).

“There’s no doubt, and I’ll tell you why, he’s 119 kilos, and he runs 21 on the yo-yo test. He’s one of the fittest and fastest but he’s a humble guy, and he’s coachable. He is the best.

“I’d just need about $3 million to get him (to St Helens) so if anybody is out there that can help!”

As well as his playing ability, Briers also praised him as a person, saying: “As a mark of the guy, his family is going through it and he’s got nine brothers and sisters but he’s adopted two of his brothers.

“He’s only 23 himself and he’s adopted two of his brothers. He trains them and gets them fit, shows them discipline, and gives them love. He’s also got a child of his own and one on the way. To do that at that age and be in the public eye is incredible.””