On Wednesday night at Lang Park, Payne Haas delivered a defining State of Origin performance, claiming his first man of the match award in a contest Queensland had long hoped would be theirs. Despite battling a quad injury and managing fewer than a quarter of the usual training load, the 24-year-old prop from Brisbane’s Broncos transformed the Blues’ forward pack into an impenetrable wall—his 18 runs for 154 metres, five tackle busts, three offloads and an error-free 30 tackles merely quantifying a night in which he seemed capable of shouldering an entire team.
Unleashing Raw Power and Precision
Haas has been earmarked for Origin greatness since his debut as a 19-year-old with only 10 NRL games to his name. Yet on Origin I 2025, he finally combined size, strength and athleticism in extraordinary fashion. His first 30-minute stint was a masterclass in controlled aggression: punishing carries through the middle third repeatedly sucked in defenders, creating space for halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. A perfectly judged offload in the lead-up to Immanuel Faasu-Ma’afala’s early breakaway try underlined his subtle footballing brain, while a second-effort strip on Harry Grant forced the turnover that led directly to Brian To’o’s opener.
Subtle Contributions Beyond the Hit-Up
Although “bash and crash” remains Haas’s signature, his impact off the ball was equally telling. He marshalled defensive line slides in kick-chases, corralling returning Queenslanders deep in their own half and consistently turning the screws in territory. Rarely seen rushing in from blindside, Haas nevertheless made crucial covering tackles on wingers and halfbacks, mitigating the damage of counter-attacks. Twice he drifted wide to act as a decoy runner—an understated facet of his game that belies the stat-stacking forwards who chase easy metres without contributing to team structure.
A Second Stint to Seal the Blues’ Bid
Queensland’s sin-binning of Brian To’o and a few missed conversions left a slender window for a Maroons resurgence after halftime. But Haas’s second spell extinguished any flicker of hope. The collisions became more brutal, each carry south of the advantage line further sapping Queensland’s pack. When his 10-metre surge off first receiver exposed another defensive ruck slow-down, it set the platform for Cleary’s cool field goal that sealed an 18-6 win. Even without the long charging runs, Haas’s relentless presence in traffic and flawless defence offered little respite to tiring Maroons forwards.
Context: Why This Performance Mattered
State of Origin has always been a crucible for big men who shape momentum with their physicality. Yet few have matched Haas’s combination of raw power, endurance and skill. His night was all the more remarkable given he joined camp just days prior, arriving nursing a quad tear that ruled him out of training. Laurie Daley’s estimate of “a quarter session” could have been a liability, but instead Haas transformed adversity into a motivational axe he wielded mercilessly against Queensland’s defence.
Comparisons and Career Trajectory
Since his debut in 2019, Haas has earned praise for his Broncos-breaking runs and high work rate, but Origin consistently demands more. Previous appearances—marked by solid metres and occasional offloads—never culminated in wholesale dominance. Last night, however, the pendulum swung decisively. His output eclipsed veteran props such as Queensland’s David Klew; for once, the narrative wasn’t “Haas held his own,” but rather “Haas carried the Blues’ front row.”
Supporting Cast: Why This Wasn’t a One-Man Show
Zac Lomax’s double, Brian To’o’s try and Stephen Crichton’s defensive heroics all contributed, and Nathan Cleary marshalled the final periods with ice-cool kicking. Yet none matched the foundational impact of Haas, whose efforts laid every platform for those flashes. Had Haas not delivered a higher work rate than some Queensland entire forward packs managed, those individual moments might not have translated into scoreboard returns.
READ MORE: Naomi Osaka’s Emotional Breakdown at Roland Garros
Implications for the Series and the Broncos
For New South Wales, Origin I represents stunning potency on Queensland soil—something Maroons fans believed impossible this decade. Haas’s ascendancy underlines a clear path forward: win the middle, control possession, and force the Maroons back into panicked defence. For the Broncos, grappling with a season sliding toward disappointment, Haas’s form provides a bright beacon. After months of scrappy club performances, Origin’s spotlight rekindled his best self, reminding coach Kevin Walters of the powerhouse at his disposal.
Looking Ahead: Can Haas Sustain This Peak?
Origin II awaits at Suncorp Stadium, and the blueprint is clear: Queensland must find a way to blunt Haas’s impact, whether through quicker ruck speed, more aggressive gang tackles or tactical kicking to the fringes. Meanwhile, NSW will aim to replicate the forward dominance that delivered Wednesday’s triumph. Yet the real test for Haas will be translating one transcendent performance into a series-defining campaign—nobody contests his talent; now, his consistency will determine whether he truly belongs in the pantheon of Origin greats.
