Rugby union club willing to pay 1.5 million for rugby league star

Rugby league have lost Wigan Warriors stars Chris Aston and Josh Charnley, Castleford Tigers winger Denny Solomona, St Helens halfback Kyle Eastmond and even new Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess to rugby union in the past.

This doesn’t seem set to change any time soon with the link between the two sports really a one way street.

The only example of rugby league interest in a union star lately has been Owen Farrell which was dramatically shut down.

Right now though, Rugby Australia are trying to raid rugby league for talent in preparation for the next World Cup held in Australia.

They have recently turned to Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas.

Off contract at the end of 2024 the brilliant forward has been able to negotiate with rival clubs since November and that includes rugby union as well.

Haas has been key to Brisbane Broncos’ amazing start to the season as they finally look like Premiership contenders again but they face a tough battle to keep him at the club. He has been a front runner in Dally M leaderboard all season.

Initially he was offered a $1.2 million deal according to the Mail but some reports claimed it could be as much as $1.6 million.

Now the latest report from the Daily Telegraph is that Western Force are willing to pay him $1.5 million a year to acquire his services.

There is a hope in Union that he could be in the sport in time for the British and Irish Lions Tour as well as the World Cup in Australia in 2027 which is the driving force behind these pushes for talent with Joseph Suaali’i already signed and talks about attempting to bring Nathan Cleary to the sport as well as rugby union strives to raid rugby league’s biggest stars.

“Payne could definitely be wearing Wallaby gold,” Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said to The Daily Telegraph recently.

“We really like Payne. He has a strong rugby pedigree and it’s probably time for him to spread his wings and do something really special.

“The Broncos are great – but playing for the Wallabies against the British Lions would be even better. By playing rugby, Payne can see the world.”

That being said, it has also been reported that Brisbane have made a massive offer to keep Haas at the club till 2026.

However, if he were to leave at the end of that deal he could still leave in time for the 2027 World Cup.