Broncos superstar Payne Haas has reportedly held shock discussions with R360 officials, with the NRL enforcer set to hit the open market come November 1.
According to Code Sports, Haas is the latest rugby league star to land in the rebel league’s scopes, with a reported $2.2 million salary per-season on the cards.
Haas’ current contract ends at the end of the 2026 season, meaning he would be free to join R360 after next season.
However, the superstar’s management and Broncos officials have reportedly been negotiating an extension, while at least one meeting with R360 powerbrokers has also taken place.
10 NRL players have reportedly already committed to joining the breakaway rugby union competition, sparking rising concerns from NRL club bosses.
According to News Corp, the threat of the R360 competition was a hot topic in Friday morning’s regular call between NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and club chiefs.
Those in the meeting reportedly discussed methods to prevent players joining the breakaway competition, with life bans for players who break contracts to join R360 floated.
Alongside Haas, Zac Lomax, Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jye Gray, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have all been linked with R360.
R360 powerbrokers reportedly have until September 30 to recruit enough stars to tick off their goals towards the competition gaining funding.
Those numbers are reportedly set to be reached, with Tuivasa-Sheck one players who is expected to sign on.
The threat of R360 comes as the NRL continues its expansion plans, with the Perth Bears to join the competition in 2027.
Then the following year, PNG will play their debut NRL season, meaning at least 60 more players will be contracted as rugby league professionals.
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