Wayne Bennett Defends HUGE Payne Haas Contract

Despite once declaring that front-rowers should never be paid over $300,000, Wayne Bennett has defended the Broncos $3.4 million contract extension to 18-year old sensation Payne Haas.

Despite only playing three NRL games, Bennett reckons there's a very good reason why the Broncos are happy to pay big dollars for Haas, who they see as a long term player at the club.

According to Bennett, they may have even got their man at a steal; have a listen to what he had to say below.

Despite the coach being a major reason for Haas extending his stay at Red Hill, Bennett said there was nothing in Payne's contract tying him to Bennett, and Haas staying did not strengthen his case for his own contract extension.

The super coach also told reporters that he hoped Haas' contract would lead to the club securing the signatures of the rest of their impressive group of young forwards: Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai Jnr. and Jaydn Su’A and outside backs Corey Oates and Jamayne Isaako.

As part of his weekly presser, Wayne also spoke about moving Darius Boyd to centre, Jack Bird, Korbin Sims leaving and the NRL "play the ball" crackdown....PLUS what he thinks of Gorden Tallis' Hall of Fame nomination.

Check it out:

The Broncos play the Panthers on Friday night - Hear the game live on the Triple M NRL App