Payne Haas says his six-week break from playing is a "blessing in disguise" as he prepares to revive Brisbane's shaky start to the 2026 season.
The return of the Broncos prop against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday from a grade-three medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury has positive implications for the Broncos and NSW.
When fit, Haas has been a must-pick for the Blues ever since making his Origin debut in 2019 and there seems no doubt NSW coach Laurie Daley will bring him into the side for game two of the series in Melbourne.
The Blues were out-muscled up front early in their 22-20 win on Wednesday night as the Maroons took a 20-0 lead.
The addition of Haas will only improve the Broncos' chances of making a move up the ladder in the second half of the season.
They are sitting 11th, only two points outside the top eight, and have Haas and fellow 2025 premiership-winning forward Brendan Piakura set to return against the Dragons.
"It's been a blessing in disguise," Haas said of his layoff.
"Being injured, I've just been sitting back observing and having a look at where we can improve as a team and as an individual and been looking at my own self and my own game.
"I can't wait to show what I've been trying to work on. I'm 100 per cent. I'm ready to go."
Haas didn't go into detail about the area in his own game that is set to go to another level. He focused on the team. The Broncos gave away the first nine penalties in their Magic Round-loss to the Warriors and it is clearly an area they must improve,
"Discipline is the key and intensity," Haas said.
"I feel like against the Warriors we probably didn't match their intensity as we should have, and obviously discipline is really hurting us with and without the ball.
"If we can fix those things this week it gives us a big shot at winning the game."
Haas is too humble to say he will be in the Blues squad for Origin, but fit and healthy he will be.
"When we get there we'll cross that bridge," he said.
"To play for your state is always a blessing and it's a huge honour but for now I'm just worried about Broncos and doing my job for the boys here.
"I'll just stay present here, worry about my footy here.
"Obviously we're in a bit of a slump at the moment, so I just want to get back to playing Broncos footy and try and get the win this week."
Haas watched the Blues comeback in his Brisbane home. It was an epic effort, even with the Maroons down a man for the final quarter of the match after Kalyn Ponga was sent off.
"I was a bit nervous until KP got sent off, after that happened I was pretty confident," Haas said.
"I'm just glad the boys got the win, they stuck tough and they got the win so that's all that matters."
